CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Due to energy upgrades completed at two city buildings and the retrofit of street and parking lights, the city of Clearlake will begin to see cost savings in its energy usage.

The city also is expected to score big energy efficiency-wise and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Using a $86,138 federal block grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Recovery Assistance Act (ARRA) – and administered by the California Energy Commission – the city installed cool-roofing at its facility housing both Clearlake City Hall and the Clearlake Police Department.

Because of the energy upgrade, most of which was completed late last year, Clearlake expects to save 130,600 kilowatt hours or $16,730 in energy costs, and reduce greenhouse emissions by almost 40 tons every year.

White roofs clad in solar-reflective thermal plastic are an inexpensive way to prevent buildings from absorbing heat on hot days, and keep them cooler when the temperature rises.

About 1,000 lighting fixtures at these buildings and the Highlands Senior Center were retrofitted with bulbs that use less energy, but glow brighter.

More than 25 occupancy sensors also were installed to turn lights off when offices are not in use.

The city’s energy makeover likewise targeted the replacement of 56 traffic signal lights on Old Highway 53 and Lakeshore Drive with energy-saving and longer-lasting light emitting diodes (LEDs).

To cap the upgrade, 27 high-sodium vapor street lights at various locations were replaced with LEDs.

Federal stimulus funds to small cities and counties awarded under the ARRA's Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants and administered by the Energy Commission are providing more than $33 million to 201 to eligible localities throughout California.

Large cities and counties are receiving funding directly from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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