Stimulus Energy Dollars: More Than Just a Jump Start

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By Lena Vargas

Summary

As stimulus money goes, $600,000 may not sound like a lot of money. But the City of Kennewick says eventually it could be worth millions in energy savings.

Story Published: Oct 27, 2009 at 5:21 PM PST

Stimulus Energy Dollars: More Than Just a Jump Start
KENNEWICK-- As stimulus money goes, $600,000 may not sound like a lot of money. But Ken Nelson with the City of Kennewick says it could be worth millions in energy savings.

So far the city has identified the biggest energy users: City Hall, the police department, fire stations, the Kennewick Library, and street lights.

Now it plans to use new technology to cut back on energy use.

"This is a pretty innovative program and it's a great way to leverage existing funding and get a bigger project at the same time help to be more efficient and productive with the energy that we use," said Nelson.

The city says initial savings could be two and a quarter million dollars over ten to fifteen years.

The new energy-efficient technology would go in beginning next year. But first the city will conduct a more detailed study and decide where to spend the money.