CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday the Clearfield County Commissioners approved applying for a grant that could help them save energy and money.
According to information provided by Jodi Brennan, director of the Clearfield County Planning and Community Development Office, the state is offering a one-time grant through their PA Conservation Works grant program. This is due to funds the state obtained through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
In 2007 the county had a Guaranteed Energy Savings Plan conducted for county-owned buildings. Brennan said the scope of the projects were overwhelming, so some of them were put on the backburner. With the new grant opportunity, the county has the possibility to revisit some of the projects.
What the county is looking at is upgrading light fixtures at the courthouse and courthouse annex with energy efficient models. According to Brennan that would provide a 50 percent increase in energy efficiency in the two buildings and would cut the annual electric bill in half.
The annual kilowatt hours of energy saved from this project equates to 138,308 while annual savings in terms of reduced utility bills and maintenance costs is estimated at $12,829.
Brennan pointed out that this would be especially beneficial once deregulation takes effect.
Brennan said another benefit would be the reduced carbon emissions. For every kilowatt-hour of energy saved, 1.37 pounds of carbon dioxide is reduced. Once the project is implemented about 189,482 pounds of carbon dioxide would be eliminated.
The commissioners approved applying for a $130,000 grant, with a 10 percent cash match.
Commissioner Chair Joan Robinson-McMillen said that if they get the grant, only local, Clearfield County contractors will be used to implement it.