ENERGY

WOS is currently evaluating operation areas that consume higher amounts of energy to establish practical tracking procedures. Monitoring current operations will allow for the identification of areas of focus to reduce energy consumption and generate efficiencies.

Building Energy Usage

The two WOS facilities, including in West Des Moines and Grimes, reduced their total billed kWh by 20,411, from 212,268 in 2021 to 191,857 in 2022.

At the Grimes facility, 4,075 therms were used.

Paperless Effort

Over 8,588 of trees, shrubs and perennials

Perennials – 6,538

Shrubs – 1,485

Trees – 565

WOS has become 100% electronic with timecards, reducing the need for paper processing. The work-order system used for everyday project management is also 100% electronic. An effort is made for the majority of proposals and invoices to be electronic with an established 75% in 2022.

Gas to Electric Efforts

Recently two product spray machines were upgraded from a gas-powered engine pump to electric. This not only reduces emissions from the burning of fuel but improved worker safety and was more economical.

93% 77% PERENNIALS AND SHRUBS WERE SOURCED LOCALLY TREES WERE SOURCED LOCALLY

Chainsaws are starting to be replaced with battery powered from traditional gas-powered chainsaws. Other small handheld equipment such as trimming chainsaw, weed eaters, hedge shears, leaf blowers, long handled hedge shears, and more are being considered for a battery powered transition.