The city of Springfield Massachusetts has entered into a three -year partnership with a utility company to dramatically reduce energy use.
In a first of its kind agreement in western Massachusetts the city of Springfield will work in partnership with Western Massachusetts Electric Company toward a goal of reducing the city’s energy consumption by 12 percent over the next three years.
Mayor Domenic Sarno signed the partnership agreement Wednesday with David McHale, the CAO for Northeast Utilities, the parent company of WMECo.
If the energy conservation goal is achieved taxpayers would save an estimated $625,000 and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will be equivalent to taking nearly 600 cars off the road, according to the utility company.
The agreement commits the city to work with a team of energy efficiency experts from the utility company. More than 40 projects have already been identified including nine schools, a library branch and a fire station. The improvements will include energy-efficient lighting, new heating and cooling equipment and boiler upgrades.
Springfield’s Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy said there would be an announcement in a few weeks on a solar project.
The city and the utility company have completed dozens of projects in the last year that have saved an estimated $300,000 including renovations to a dozen schools and new energy- efficient street lighting installed in parts of the downtown.
McHale said Northeast Utilities had previously entered into three- year energy reduction agreements with M-I-T and with the Stop &Shop supermarket chain. This is the first one in western Massachusetts.
Christina Halfpenny, Division Director of Energy Efficiency for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, commended the city and the utility company.
She said the agreement was another example of how innovative Massachusetts had become with its energy policies.
