ENCINITAS — The city is looking to become more energy-efficient.

Council approved a measure to appropriate funds for a consultant in an effort to receive the nation’s highest certification rating for energy-efficient building design.

Public Works Director Larry Watt told the council April 16 that it had the option to seek the coveted gold-standard rating in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, known as LEED certification, by replacing an aging roof at City Hall with state-of-the-art-solar panels. The council voted unanimously Dec. 5, 2007, to approve a measure that will modernize the heating and cooling systems as well as the roof with energy-saving devices.

A staff report estimates the savings could offset the replacement costs over 25 years — the estimated lifespan of the solar panels and temperature modification equipment. Implementing the energy conservation program would save the city $3.4 million over the same time period given current energy rates.

The capital costs of the replacement equipment — including solar panels and a heating and cooling system with a central plant — came to $3.9 million. Officials said that the costs would be substantially reduced by grants, rebates and low-cost loans.

A financing program through the California Energy Commission would provide a $1.7 million loan at a 3.9 percent interest rate according to the report. Bill Wilson, a management analyst with the Public Works Department, said that the energy savings on power bills would easily cover the annual payments of $152,283.

LEED is a national rating system that awards points to facilities based on such factors as indoor environmental quality, energy-saving devices and water efficiency. Contracting with PE Consulting Energy Solutions, Inc. to ensure that the design of the energy-saving elements would qualify for the gold standard would cost the city an estimated $40,000.

Residents were split in their support for the certification. Environmental activist Robert Nanninga said he was hesitant about the certification. He said it was a form of “greenwashing” and compared it to a Good Housekeeping seal of approval.

Dadla Ponizil, a member of the city’s environmental task force, said he originally opposed a LEED certification. “This is nothing less than a comprehensive, integrated design document,” said Ponizil, who did not speak on behalf of the task force. “I know of no better system,” he said.

“We would be leading by example,” Watt said. He said all of the systems in the building would be analyzed by an independent third party based on a set of criteria that determine the environmental efficiency of the building as a whole.

He said that his staff has not found any other city hall that has obtained the certification in California.

“If government doesn’t lead by example then we can’t expect others to do so, Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan said after the meeting.

The vote was 4-1 with councilman Dan Dalager opposed.