Lodi will receive federal money for efficiency projects

The city of Lodi found out Monday it will receive $586,200 in federal stimulus dollars to pay for 10 projects that will improve energy efficiency.

The projects will reduce electricity consumption by two million kilowatt hours annually and will also reduce fuel consumption.

"I'm thrilled that our area will receive funds for clean energy projects," said Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, in a news release. "The money from these grants is an investment in our local economy. These cities will now be able to take steps to reduce costs and save energy."

The city had to submit an application detailing the projects before receiving the stimulus funding. Mayor Larry Hansen described it as positive news in a gloomy year.

"This is huge. This is a lot of money that not only benefits individual citizens because they will be able to see direct energy savings, but it benefits the city because we will be using less energy and be more efficient," Hansen said.

Below are a list of the projects the city will fund with the money. Included is an estimate of how many average single-family households could be powered for a year with the energy saved.

Energy efficient rebates — $50,000 to go into the utility's existing program to reward residents who make home improvements, including upgrading attic or ceiling insulation and installing thermal shield roofing materials, window tinting or a high-efficiency central air conditioner.

Savings: Savings will depend on customer demand.

Low-income refrigerator replacement — $50,000 to an existing program to remove old, inefficient refrigerators and replace them with energy-saving ones.

Savings: It will save up to 25,000 kilowatt hours a year. That could power three homes.

Lodi Cool the Earth — $25,000 for an educational outreach pilot program for K-6 students at schools. It will focus on ways to get students involved in energy and water conservation, renewable energy and sustainable living practices. Students will take what they learn to improve energy efficiency at home.

Savings: The program says it results in 150,000 kilowatt hours saved in students' homes per school. The program plans to target 15 schools. That could be a savings of up to 2,250,000 kilowatt hours a year, which could power 281 homes.

Lodi Keep Your Cool — $25,000 to replace refrigeration door gaskets at restaurants, mini-markets and other small food and drink stores.

Savings: This will add funds to an existing program and will save the stores 270,000 kilowatt hours. That could power 34 homes for a year.

Improve energy efficiency for tourist lodging — $48,000 to complete conservation measures, including lighting retrofits, room occupancy controls and central heating and air improvements, at hotels and motels.

Savings: Energy savings depend on lodging owner choices.

Update servers — $200,000 to replace 25 of the city of Lodi's server computers with eight high-efficiency computers.

Savings: The city will save 175,000 kilowatt hours because there will be fewer plugs in the outlets, and there will be less energy used for running the air conditioner to keep the server room cool 24/7. That could power almost 22 homes.

New Grape Bowl lighting — $100,000 to remove inefficient lights and replace them with lower wattage lamps.

Savings: The new lights will save 41,000 kilowatt hours per year. That could power 5 homes a year. The new lights will have enough power to meet the standards for college football. The lights are expected to increase field use and rental revenue.

Solar-powered trash compactors — $53,000 to purchase and install 20 trash compacting garbage cans.

Savings: Save $58,504. Labor costs will save $57,304 and fuel costs will save $1,200.

Kofu Park community building upgrades — $20,000 to install a high-efficiency central heating and cooling system, dual-paned windows, door sweeps, weather-stripping and new attic insulation.

Savings: It will save the city 4,000 kilowatt hours per year and make the building more attractive for rental use. That could power half of a home for a year.

Hutchins Street Square upgrades — $15,000 to purchase and install a new energy management system to allow employees to operate the central heating and cooling system more efficiently on-site or remotely.

Savings: About 28,000 kilowatt hours per year. That could power three and a half home.

Reader Feedback

max stanfield wrote on Oct 6, 2009 7:39 PM:

" Home improvements, Fridge replacement, K-6 school babble, Door gaskets at minimarts, Improving Motels, etc etc. Are these things I have to keep working for to pay taxes to toss money in the garbage???? and multiply this fraud all over America ? No wonder we are broke and unemployed. "

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dogs4you wrote on Oct 6, 2009 5:55 PM:

" After reading all the benefits of that "free" money, perhaps the CC could through the dog a bone or to in the form of helping people afford the water meters that are on the way. Some of that $586.200 would go along way, $53.000 for more solar powered garbage containers, does the city of Lodi really need solar powered gargage cans. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 6, 2009 4:07 PM:

" I know its a "Stupid Question to ask of the City Council, but when they get Millions in federal funds for the bus system, "Are they going to resume the quality" of bus service they are about to "CUT"????? Well, of course not! "

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veritas wrote on Oct 6, 2009 1:51 PM:

" "Low-income refrigerator replacement — $50,000 to an existing program to remove old, inefficient refrigerators and replace them with energy-saving ones.

Savings: It will save up to 25,000 kilowatt hours a year. That could power three homes."

Call me crazy, but does it cost $ 16,666.66 to power a home for a year ? No, it will take years to make this pay off. Is this an appropriate use of your tax money ?? "

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ordinarycitizen wrote on Oct 6, 2009 10:27 AM:

" This article, in some ways, is rediculous considering that Lodi is considering giving the ax to Grapeline routes. Cool the Earth??? Give me a break. Put that money where it's most needed, into public transportation.....Cool the Earth.....what a joke. Common sense will help eliminate wasteful energy use, such as turn off the lights when not in use. Run the dishwasher and washing machine when loads are full. Use cold water settings when washing clothes. Recycle anything and everything that is recyclable. Gee....and $25,000 has been set aside for "Lodi Cool the Earth." "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Oct 6, 2009 9:45 AM:

" I am serioulsy considering looking into what my friends pay for utilities in Woodbridge. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 6, 2009 8:49 AM:

" Interesting reading after I just read the article entitled "Lodi City Council will weigh higher fees for trash pickup". They get us coming and going don't they? Ridiculous. "

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wtf wrote on Oct 6, 2009 8:09 AM:

" A little over half a million sounds great; unfortunately, I am getting so sick and tired of our city council, that I'm afraid...somehow...these idiots will **still** manage to get the ratepayers (us) in the hole for an additional million or so and my electric bill will continue to go up, up and away! "

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