- High Performance Upgrades Will Reduce Energy Costs by 36 Percent -
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Even with autumn just around the corner, it seems that nearly everything in Knox County is going green. Knox County administrators are undertaking $16.2 million in improvements to address aging infrastructure and high energy and operating costs. The county will combine anticipated energy and operational savings with $2.1 million in U.S. Dept. of Energy Tennessee Block Grant Funds to fund the improvements.
When completed, the improvements will reduce the county's energy costs an estimated 36 percent by upgrading and enhancing infrastructure in 40 facilities, 24 parks and 37 traffic intersections. The improvements are also expected to add county jobs, create one of the nation's largest solar farms and significantly reduce the county's environmental impact while providing a more productive and comfortable environment for county employees and residents who use county services.
Over the 15-year life of the program as it was approved by the Knox County commission, the county will save an estimated $29 million, more than covering the program's $27 million cost. This total cost includes: $16.2 million in infrastructure upgrades, $7.5 million in maintenance and repair services and allotments for debt service and measurement and verification services. The resulting project requires no new tax dollars.
Ceremony and Reception Will Launch Improvements
A ceremony and reception will be held to formally launch the infrastructure improvements on Monday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. at Lawson McGhee Library, 500 West Church Ave., Knoxville, Tenn.
"These improvements will generate benefits throughout the county for taxpayers, county employees, jobs seekers, the environment and the economy," said Mayor Mike Ragsdale. "Knox County's reputation as an environmental steward will be stronger than ever."
By implementing this project, Knox County government leaders also anticipate that they will maintain and/or create 176 sustainable county jobs based on the latest United States Department of Energy job creation calculations.
The improvements will have a significant positive environmental impact, equivalent to removing 2,329 passenger vehicles from Knox County roads, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalence calculator.
Improvements Address County Goals
Before selecting energy conservation measures, Knox County government leaders conducted a comprehensive energy and utility analysis of county facilities.
