City takes initiative to conserve energy

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- With the energy crisis causing concern across the

state, the city is taking steps to minimize its power usage.

With the help of a Southern California Edison Co. rebate program that

will return an estimated $23,097 to the city over two years, city workers

will retrofit lighting and ventilation systems in city-owned buildings

beginning next week. The project, which will cost the city about $94,000,

is expected to be completed by Feb. 9

Steve Hauerwaas, the city’s management analyst, said the City Council

approved $164,000 for the project Oct. 3 but accepted the lowest bid Nov.

8.

Hauerwaas said that based on year-old rates, the city will save about

$35,000 annually in energy costs because of the retrofitting.

“We have been planning this in anticipation of possible energy

shortages for months,” he said. “The timing for the installations could

not be better.”

City Manager Ray Kromer said the city applied for grants and rebates

available to them from Edison with the intent of saving energy and money.

“In comparisons to other businesses, we are a relatively high user of

electricity,” Kromer said. “A lot of our operations run 24 hours so, as

we have done in the past, we will continue to look for ways to save

money.”

The city’s efforts were triggered by a concern about the possibility

of rate increases after San Diego and South Orange County experienced

problems, Hauerwaas said.

“We regularly study the market and knew these rates were going to go

up,” he said.

City workers will replace existing electric motors in the heating and

ventilation systems with more efficient motors, lighting fixtures in all

city-owned buildings will be replaced, and magnetic ballasts will be

replaced with electronic ones for more efficient lighting.

The remaining lights will be replaced with more cost-effective one,

Hauerwaas added.

“Our goal was for the program to reduce energy consumption and, in

return, lower the cost and increase savings,” Hauerwaas said. “With our

projected savings, we feel that the goal will be achieved.”