Westerly, RI, is using $1.6 million in low interest state loans to transition to LED streetlights and make energy efficiency upgrades to the town hall, the police station and department of public works complex.
The Westerly Sun reports that the loans are from the Infrastructure Bank Efficient Building Loan Fund. The fund is administered by the Clean Water Protection Finance Agency.
CHA, an environmental engineering firm, recommended significant work. For instance, in the city hall, the firm suggested installation of attic insulation, a natural gas-fed water heater, new water circulation motors and interior and exterior LEDs.
The story says that the bulk of the loan – and the bulk of the eventual savings – will come from converting to LED streetlights.
This week, another New England municipality made an aggressive energy move. The city of Springfield, MA approved a request from Baystate Health Systems to build a $27 million combined heat and power (CHP) plant in the city.
