Warren gets $350K grant to save energy

Staff report

WARREN

The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council has awarded the city of Warren a $350,340 energy- conservation grant to make energy-efficient upgrades.

The award is part of nearly $16 million in Powering Our Communities grants that NOPEC is distributing to its 129 member communities throughout the nine Northeast Ohio counties it serves. The grant money came from FirstEnergy Solutions as part of an agreement between the utility and NOPEC.

Newton Falls City Manager Jack Haney, who serves as Trumbull County’s representative on the NOPEC board of directors, said this round of grants furthers NOPEC’s commitment to helping communities lower their energy costs.

“NOPEC is working to reduce energy consumption and cost in Northeast Ohio,” Haney said. “This grant program promotes sustainability and energy conservation by helping communities launch energy-saving projects.”

Warren received $350,340 to improve and upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the municipal building on South Street, as well as support the Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center on West Market Street downtown.

The improvements to the municipal building will improve energy efficiency and provide a projected savings of 12 percent in energy spending and consumption.

NOPEC’s support will also help strengthen the city’s collaboration with the new innovation center/business incubator, which is aimed at the development and commercialization of early-stage energy technology.