Energy efficiency is simply getting the same output with less
energy input. It is generally the most cost effective way to
reduce environmental impact. The City spends over $7 million per
year to power over 90 buildings, 6400 street lights, 100 traffic
signals, 36 water wells, and 1400 vehicles. We are constantly
looking for ways to become more efficient. In October 2009, we
completed a retrofit of every traffic and pedestrian crossing
signal to highly efficient LED bulbs. These bulbs use 80% less
energy than the incandescent bulbs they replaced, and we expect
them to save over $130,000 annually on our electricity bill. As
an added benefit, they are also brighter and last longer. We
continue to look for opportunities like this and will report on
savings as they are realized. We have recently begun
participating in El Paso Electric’s Score Plus program, which
helps large public and commercial customers to identify ways to
improve energy efficiency, and offers cash rebates to offset
some of the costs of improve