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City plans to go greener to save some greenbacks |
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Thursday, 23 October 2008 |
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By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
10-21-2008 Bishop is becoming greener and saving money at the same time.
The City of Bishop plans on upgrading lighting, heating/air conditioning systems and using natural means to provide maximum energy efficiency, while keeping costs at a minimum.
This project comes on the heels of a 2007 energy audit of all city facilities conducted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power at the request of the city in an attempt to create the most energy efficient facilities possible.
The Community Services Department has drafted a three-phase plan that includes planting shade trees and bushes, installing energy efficient lights and changing or upgrading the heating and air conditioning systems.
Phase one has already been completed with the reroofing of the City Hall complex and the planting of many new trees and shrubs on the south lawn in front of City Hall to shade and cool the building during Bishop’s hot summers. This was completed last fall.
The second phase, which Community Services Director Keith Caldwell asked the City Council to approve on Monday, involves the replacement or upgrade of lighting systems within City Hall.
Caldwell explained that LADWP and the Small Business Direct Install Program (SBDI) will be providing incentives of $12,000 to help pay the costs. The upgrades will include installation of LED lights in all exit signs and upgrading all lighting fixtures in City Hall to the most efficient to date, the T8-fluorescent.
Caldwell explained by phone yesterday that LADWP had offered $2,500 incentive programs through SBDI to all building owners, city wide to retrofit their establishments.
Caldwell added that after the incentives, a request was made for the remaining cost of the retrofitting of lamps, ballasts and exit signs in the City Hall complex, Fire Station and Public Works totalling $8,236. City council approved the request.
According to Caldwell, the energy efficient lighting should pay for itself within two years and the fixtures will carry a five-year warranty at no additional cost.
The third phase will be to upgrade the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units in City Hall.
Caldwell said there are eight HVAC systems in need of replacement and he added that he and his staff are working with LADWP to find incentive programs (money) to complete this last phase.
Preliminary funds for Phases 2 and 3 have already been approved in the 2008-09 budget.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 25 November 2008 )
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