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Local governments seek to lower heating bills
(by Joan Demirjian - December 15, 2010)
Local governments seek to lower heating bills
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
With winter heating bills rising, people are looking for ways to save, including local communities. Many are placing a priority on saving by replacing drafty windows and making upgrades to facilities to make them more energy efficient.
Officials in local governments, including townships, have been preparing grant applications of up to $50,000 through the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council for projects involving upgrades not only to heating equipment but to cooling and lighting systems.
NOPEC is a nonprofit organization that provides energy aggregation, offering member communities in Northeast Ohio discounts on electricity and natural gas.
The upcoming grant deadline is Feb. 28, 2011, with grant allocations beginning in May 2011.
Geauga County Commissioner William Young, of South Russell, serves on the NOPEC board of directors.
NOPEC has negotiated some good rates, Mr. Young said. On electricity, the board was able to negotiate 6 percent discounts through First Energy.
The energy grants will allow communities to make upgrades, and reduce use of power, he said.
At the county level, he said, "We pay attention and try to be as efficient as we can."
South Russell Mayor Matt Brett said the village is putting together a project application, with the goal of saving on utility bills.
They are looking at more efficient air conditioning and heating systems. They will want to insulate Village Hall.
"These are the major projects we are looking at," Mr. Brett said.
In Russell, Trustee Katrina Port said an energy audit is being done in the township buildings, in preparation for the next deadline for the grant application.
"We're looking at the best bang for our buck," she said.
Windows at the historic Town Hall need some attention, according to Jack Gallagher, who oversees maintenance of township buildings.
Russell Trustee Jim Dickinson said the new fire station and new police department, are energy efficient at this point, Mr. Dickinson said.
Bainbridge Trustee Matt Lynch has been representing the township at the NOPEC meetings.
In general NOPEC has been very successful in maintaining low electric rates for its customers, he said.
"NOPEC serves to offer reduced energy rates," Mr. Lynch said. "It's a community aggregation for purchasing of energy and it's a model in the state, he said.
"I'm impressed with NOPEC and the grant. The grant doesn't involve public money," he said. "And it has to be used for energy efficiency upgrades, including lighting and heating.
"This is all private industry money, and no government funds," Mr. Lynch said.
Other townships in Geauga County are looking at solar panels and wind energy, he said.
Bainbridge Zoning Inspector Shane Wrench will be looking into the details and will be applying for the NOPEC grant. He is reviewing lighting upgrades in all the township buildings. He and David Mitchell, township properties superintendent, are discussing the use of light-emitting diode bulbs for lighting.
The township may be able to reduce its bills by 65 percent to 90 percent, Mr. Wrench said.
An evaluation and estimates on lighting replacements are being done, he said. "We can also get into outdoor lighting," Mr. Wrench said.
He is hoping to include Town Hall, the Burns Lindow building and the road department, along with the proposed fire-station addition and Centerville Mills Camp buildings. "It would be a huge savings," Mr. Wrench said.
In Auburn, Trustee John Eberly said the township has been awarded approximately $9,500 for air conditioning for historic old Town Hall.
Trustees are applying for replacement of a large window at Adam Hall and three large windows at the township administration building. Upgrades to lighting are planned at the road garage along with projects at the fire department.
Chagrin Falls Village is applying for a grant to buy natural-gas generators and on-site generators at three locations.
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