Things are about to look brighter in Cortez, while saving taxpayers about $75,000 a year.
The city awarded a $257,000 LED plan to ASG Energy during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The project would replace standard candescent bulbs at all municipal buildings with more efficient LED lights. The endeavor would also update 60 streetlights.
“The city will see significant savings on electricity costs,” said Rick Smith, municipal general service director.
Reducing total kilowatt-hours by nearly 617,000 annually, the projected cost savings total more than $77,000 each year. The city’s Parks and Rec Center alone is forecast to save $36,000. City Hall, municipal service center, water plant, police department, kennel, airport, library and Welcome Center will also see upgrades.
“Most lighting fixtures will retrofitted with the LED lights, and very few will be completely replaced,” Smith said. “For example, a 4-foot, 34-watt florescent will be replaced with a 17-watt LED light.”
Five companies conducted energy audits and submitted bids for the budgeted $260,000 lighting retrofit project. San Antonio-based ASG Energy’s proposal included retrofitting more than 4,500 total light fixtures, each with 60,000 to 100,000-hour life span.
Prior to the city council approval, City Manager Shane Hale disclosed that he went to high school with ASG Energy’s president. Hale said that relationship did not impact decisions to recommend the ASG bid.
After a 30 days for manufacturing and two weeks for installation, the LED upgrade should be completed before November.
Because of energy savings, the project is expected to pay for itself in less than four years.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
