Federal aid helps save energy

Energy-efficiency projects in seven Snohomish County cities are getting a jolt from nearly half a million dollars in federal stimulus funds.

The money includes upgrades to heating and lighting at city buildings in Monroe and Snohomish, as well as traffic signals and street lighting in Marysville. The Snohomish County Public Utility District is aiding cities with the projects.

“We can help them identify the projects that are going to give them the most bang for the buck,” PUD spokesman Neil Neroutsos said.

Cities with populations of less than 35,000 were eligible. The Washington state Department of Commerce decided who got the $461,194 in U.S. government money. The awards, announced last month, include:

$135,000 for lighting and heating systems in Arlington city buildings.

$24,347 for more efficient lighting at Granite Falls City Hall and police department.

$46,042 for traffic signals and street lighting in Marysville.

$134,915 for Mountlake Terrace to build a model project for saving energy in small and mid-size cities.

A combined $134,915 for retrofits to city buildings in Mill Creek, Monroe and Snohomish.

All told, the projects are expected to save nearly 500,000 kilowatt-hours per year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 140,000 pounds, a PUD release says. The utility estimates that it now uses approximately 90 fewer megawatts of electricity annually than it would have without efficiency programs that began in the 1980s.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.