Can't make a speed session? Add your thoughts here.

Discussion closing on April 01, 2026, 12:00 AM

If you are unable to attend a speed engagement session for the public feedback portion of the DPU Water and Energy Conservation Plan, please consider leaving your programming ideas here. 

Programming falls under the following environmental sustainability strategic goals and initiatives, most recently approved by the Board of Public Utilities on September 17, 2025:

  • Promote utility efficiency through targeted conservation programs.
  • Be a net carbon neutral electric provider by 2040. 
  • Support phase out of natural gas service by 2070 with at least a 10% reduction in usage by 2030 as measured by annual therms per heating degree day compared to a 2016 - 2020 average. 
  • Reduce potable water use by 12% from 143 gallons per capita per day (2020 calendar baseline) to 126 gallons per capita per day by 2030.
  • Expand use of Class 1A effluent water.
  • Support customer electrification and other sustainability efforts with education and technical support. 

While all of these goals are within the Water and Energy Conservation Plan, not all of these are achievable by customers. Some, such as expanding the use of effluent water and becoming a net carbon neutral electric provider, will occur through DPU infrastructure projects. Others, such as reducing potable water usage, will take efforts from both the supply side (DPU) and the demand side (customer) as everyone continues to find and fix leaks. 

Below are programs from the current plan, as well as program successes:

 

Program within plan:  Notes about success:
 Exit coal generation  San Juan Generation Station closed 2022 
 Carbon Free Power Project Terminated in Nov 2023 by UAMPS 
 Smart Energy Provider certification  Will pursue Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) certification instead 
 Transformer upgrades Ongoing; transformer cost is 4x original plan 
 Investigate emergent power technologies Ongoing; Foxtail Flats Generation  
 PV/Distributed generation Ongoing to support more customer solar 
 Energy Efficient Technology and Demos Launched Induction Cooktop Borrowing Program in July 2022. Expanded with Library of Things in 2023. Hosted panel discussions for induction cooktops (2022) and heat pumps (2024). Partners with Los Alamos Little Theatre and Public Library on the Ghost Hunt to debut the thermal camera borrowing program. 
 EV Charging DPU participated in 6-month Clean Energy to Communities Cohort to prepare for implementing more. Award-winning Back to the Future ribbon cutting event for 1st DC fast charger. DPU now supports Sustainability Office with EV efforts.
 Commercial Efficiency Series Support for Green Los Alamos passed ESB, BPU, and Council by Dec 2025. Program rollout in 2026.
 Efficiency Kits and Audits Kits continue to be handed out. New kits have been ordered. Audits continue to be a challenge. DIY Energy Assessment created. Thermal cameras added to Library of Things.
 Rebates and Incentives State rebates and incentives through ECAM from 2023 - 2030. No movement locally.
 Building codes Los Alamos County adopts 2021 IECC. 
 Provide alternatives to gas Launched Induction Cooktop Borrowing program in July 2022. Expanded with Library of Things in summer of 2023. Bill inserts/socials contain technology and behavior switching.
 Planning for cost adjustments (gas) Ongoing
 Replacing gas meters to reduce loss Ongoing
 Leak detection (gas)  Ongoing; annually reported to PHMSA 
 Electrification Planning Workshop Not identified in WECP, but multiple held in 2025
 Xeriscaping Sustainable Landscape Design Series. Garden on a Postcard
 Toilet retrofits No available funding to really support target Some education on toilet age and flow rates
 Water Rule W8 Ongoing, rebranded to Water Wait (W8) with new magnets Data evaluation on effectiveness
 Water audits Individual assessments unavailable from current staff Created a "10-Minute Water Leak Detection and Measurement Kit" for customers to do a self-audit. Irrigation audits not included.
 Water efficiency kits Remainder of kits distributed. Parts have been reordered for 2026+ programming.
 Leak detection (water) Complete AWWA audit annually to be aware of non-revenue water leaks.
 AMI Portal Setting up leak alerts for water.
 Water Taste Test Not identified in WECP, but a highly successful program implemented in 2023.
 Tours Tours of DPU water production systems and wastewater treatment systems. Not identified in WECP, but requested and successful programs.
 Upgrade LA Wastewater Plant Filtration system upgraded in July 2024. Plant produces Class 1A Effluent. 
 White Rock WRRF WRRF came online August 2024. Tours of new site summer of 2025 and more in 2026.
 Los Alamos Canyon Restoration Completed in July 2024 utilizing natural channel designs. Restored and stabilized watershed Protection of utilities infrastructure along reservoir road.
 Non-Potable Water Tank Storage With completion of Bayo Tank, storage at 1 million gallons.
 Clogged Sewer Demo  Not identified in WECP, but created after rise in sewer backups and cleanouts. 
 Alternative Water Harvesting Not identified in WECP, but created programming after several requests 

 

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