Clark County receives incentive rebate for energy efficiency projects
May 4, 2009
Clark County has received a $354,000 rebate check from Clark Public Utilities for energy efficiency improvements the county has made over the past year.
The check was presented to County Commissioner Steve Stuart by Carol Curtis, president of the utility’s board of commissioners in a ceremony at the recent Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair.
The incentive was for projects completed by the county for measures such as building controls upgrade, heating and cooling upgrades, installation of variable speed drives, efficient lighting and solar panel installations. The county invested about $7.8 million to develop 35 individual energy conservation and renewable energy projects that will reduce utility expenses.
“I would like to thank Clark Public Utilities for their support of our renewable energy efforts,” said Stuart. “This is just the first installment on a project that will reduce the county’s energy use, reduce pollution and save taxpayer dollars.”
Curtis said the county should be commended for its aggressive conservation efforts. “I’m pleased we’re able to support the county’s energy efficiency plans. This is a great example for other utility customers to follow.”
The utility’s recently enhanced commercial lighting incentive program provides financial incentives for any commercial customer to improve the efficiency of a building’s lighting technology. The incentive amounts are generally based on a percentage of the cost and estimated electricity savings of each efficiency project. The utility along with Johnson Controls Inc., the county’s contractor, provided lighting audits, analysis and installation of higher efficiency lighting at a dozen county sites.
Utility employees worked with the county to ensure program requirements were met, and verified the amount of energy savings achieved.
The utility estimates that the county will save an estimated 1.9 million kilowatt-hours per year in the lighting upgrades alone, or about $100,000 at current electric rates.
Incentives for five solar photovoltaic installations were also included in the rebate. The county installed approximately 140 kilowatts of photovoltaic at five sites. An installation at the Clark County Jail uses the first “thin-film” panel technology in the county.
Curtis noted that the utility offers a wide range of rebates, loans and grants for various energy efficiency projects, for business and residential customers.
About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility district that provides electric service to more than 182,000 customers throughout Clark County. The utility also provides water service to about 30,000 homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Lakeshore, Hockinson, Brush Prairie, La Center, Meadow Glade, Amboy and Yacolt areas.
For more information:
Mick Shutt, 360-992-3238