Energy-saving project lauded
By Sam Shawver, sshawver@mariettatimes.comFact Box
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A resolution authorizing a contract with Swiss Valley Associates Inc. of Hannibal, Ohio, to perform engineering and construction management services for Marietta's energy conservation program will be introduced during the Marietta City Council meeting today at 7:30 p.m. in the community building at Lookout Park.
Energy-saving efforts being initiated by the city of Marietta could potentially benefit from the incoming Obama administration's proposed economic stimulus package, according to city engineer Joe Tucker.
"Any projects focused on increased energy efficiency for government entities would be near the top of their list," Tucker said Monday. "That's why I think this city energy conservation project could be very timely."
Based on House Bill 300 energy legislation enacted by the Ohio General Assembly in 1994, the city has taken out a $500,000 low-interest loan from the Ohio Department of Development to make improvements that include installing low-energy lighting, double-paned windows, energy-efficient heating equipment and other upgrades to city facilities. The exact amount of money that can be used will be determined by how much savings can be generated to pay the money back over a 10-year period.
One example of how the program works is the city's plan to replace incandescent traffic signal lights with more efficient light-emitting diodes.
"We borrowed $58,000 from the energy loan to change the signals to LED lighting, and when that's completed, we should easily save about $34,000 a year," Tucker said. "In less than two years, we'll have enough energy savings to pay back that much of the loan, including principal and interest. Plus that savings will continue on for years to come, and it will save on maintenance costs as LEDs last six times longer than incandescent lighting."
He said other upgrades could include the use of solar and geothermal energy to save electricity and heating costs, and the improvements would help reduce the community's carbon footprint.
"This is basically the same thing people would do for their own homes," Tucker said. "They might install insulation, replace windows, change light bulbs or change to a more efficient furnace. And no savings is too small to be considered for this energy program."
Legislation authorizing Swiss Valley Associates Inc. of Hannibal as engineer and construction manager for the two-phase project will be introduced during tonight's meeting of the Marietta City Council.
The project includes an audit of all of the city's current energy usage, an energy-savings design plan and bidding out the work to local contractors.
"Completion of the first phase of this project has been set between eight months and a year," said Bill Brake, vice president of Swiss Valley Associates.
He said the scope of the second phase will be determined once the first phase is completed.
"But with assistance from a federal stimulus package, the current scope of this project could double," he said.
Councilman Jon Grimm, R-3rd Ward, and chairman of the city lands, buildings and parks committee, said the energy conservation project is a good investment.
"It seems like a no-brainer, to use those energy savings to pay the loan off in 10 years. I don't see a down side to it," he said.
