Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is simply getting the same output with less energy input. It is generally the most cost effective way to reduce environmental impact.
The City spends over $7 million per year to power over 90 buildings, 6400 street lights, 100 traffic signals, 36 water wells, and 1400 vehicles. We are constantly looking for ways to become more efficient. In October 2009, we completed a retrofit of every traffic and pedestrian crossing signal to highly efficient LED bulbs. These bulbs use 80% less energy than the incandescent bulbs they replaced, and we expect them to save over $130,000 annually on our electricity bill. As an added benefit, they are also brighter and last longer. We continue to look for opportunities like this and will report on savings as they are realized.
We have recently begun participating in El Paso Electric’s Score Plus program, which helps large public and commercial customers to identify ways to improve energy efficiency, and offers cash rebates to offset some of the costs of improvements. El Paso Electric also has energy efficiency programs for smaller customers as well – to learn more about available incentives and access a number of tips and tools, visit their website.