Energy council awards four grants to Liberty

Staff report

liberty

Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council awarded $108,000 in four grants to Liberty Township.

The funds, which are earmarked for energy- saving improvements, are:

$20,000 for retrofitting township buildings including the fire stations with light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting, which uses considerably less electricity than conventional lighting. This project is nearly completed.

$28,000 for replacement of the township building sign, which is 30 years old and corroded. The new sign will use LED lighting and feature an illuminated message board. This will take place within the next 30 days.

$25,000 for improvements in restrooms and the concession stand at the township’s Center Park and new energy- saving lighting. This grant is part of a $330,000 improvement project at the park that includes construction of a senior and community center. Funds from Sunday’s Celebration in the Park at Church Hill Park on Belmont Avenue also will go toward this project.

$35,000 for improvements on the Shady Road bridge, where LED lighting will be installed in the future.

Pat Ungaro, township administrator, said the lighting will be energy- efficient and attractive and will improve safety on the bridge for pedestrians.

The township grants are part of nearly $16 million that NOPEC is distributing among its 129-member communities in Trumbull County and the eight other Northeast Ohio counties it serves.

The grant money came from FirstEnergy Solutions as part of an agreement made with NOPEC. NOPEC is a regional, nonprofit energy aggregation offering its member communities discounted electricity and natural-gas programs.