Philadelphia plans energy-efficiency renovations

PHILADELPHIA — The city of Philadelphia is looking to reduce the $48 million it spent on electricity, heating oil and natural gas last year through an agreement allowing the city to pay back energy-efficiency renovation costs over time without acquiring debt, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

According to the story, Philadelphia has entered into a Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement with private firm Noresco to make improvements to City Hall, the Municipal Services Building, the Criminal Justice Center and One Parkway.

Noresco will conduct an audit to determine what specific improvements will be made, and only investments that will pay for themselves within 15 years are being considered, the story stated.

Janet Milkman, executive director of the nonprofit Delaware Valley Green Building Council, said: "We''re very supportive of the administration''s focus on improving the city''s energy consumption first. It makes a lot of economic sense, and it''s just good practice for the city to implement some of these changes before requiring the private sector to do the same."

The city is also planning a marketing campaign to encourage city workers to adopt energy-saving measures, the story added.