Montgomery County has received a $3.2 million federal grant to improve energy efficiency in county facilities through lighting and air conditioning retrofits and solar-based projects.

“I think it is one of the most significant grants we have received in size for the ability of the county to try and implement energy efficient,” said Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler. “This should have a long-term effect on the bottom line.”

The county is expected to investigate the largest 15 building in its system for energy efficiency measures, said Mark Bosma, director of infrastructure for the county. The county also will target four solar-powered projects, which may include the old and new county parking garages in Conroe as well as the old Commissioners Court building.

“Its roof is A-shaped and points east and west,” said Bosma of the county’s old Commissioners Court building on North Thompson Street. “That would be perfect for solar power.”

As part of the solar-powered project, the lights in the parking garage would be converted to LED bulbs, which require less energy. Solar panels could be placed on the roof’s garage.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Ed Chance urged Bosma to look at traffic lights in the county for a possible project. Each light with the traditional incandescent bulb costs about $125 a month to operate, and the county is responsible to maintain about 96 lights, including those that flash at intersections.

Chance said the county has replaced about half of the traffic lights with more efficient LED lights.
Montgomery County has been retrofitting its buildings since 1990. It will have three years to spend the federal funds.

“In the past, we have retrofitting some buildings,” Bosma said. “But we have never had the opportunity to do the things like we plan to with his grant.”

In 2004, the county undertook a major project designed to save $80,000 a year in energy costs. That project included several county buildings, including libraries in Conroe and The Woodlands, the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and jail and the Montgomery County Courthouse and annex in Conroe. It included new lighting and two new boilers.

In another project in 1997, the county paid $11,000 in lighting improvement to the main administration building and saved $17,000 in energy costs, Bosma said.

Those savings could be returned to residents is lower taxes.

“We’re looking to make savings,” Bosma said. “For the local taxpayers, it will mean money from the initial payback, since we will use federal money to pay for upgrades.”

GOING GREEN
Montgomery County plans to upgrade energy efficiency in 15 of its largest building through a $3.2 million federal grants. Following are some of the projects being considered:
• Lighting upgrades
• Air condition system upgrades
• Solar-powered energy
• Traffic light retrofits to LED bulbs
Source: Montgomery County