County Approves Contract for Clean TN Energy Grant Project to Install LED lights at Courthouse and Jail

January 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Existing fluorescent lights in the DeKalb County Courthouse and the Jail will be replaced and retrofitted with light-emitting diode (LED) lights thanks to a Clean Tennessee Energy Grant through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

The grant for DeKalb County totals $18, 928 with a local match of $18, 928 for a total project cost of $37,856. Last February, the county commission authorized the grant application through the Upper Cumberland Development District. The grant was awarded in August.

During Monday night’s meeting, County Mayor Tim Stribling updated the county commission on the project.

“We passed a resolution in February and we were awarded a grant in August and we had a bid opening in December. There were a couple of bids. Energ3 out of Chattanooga received the bid of $34, 100 to retrofit the lighting here in the courthouse and the jail to LED with a Clean Tennessee Energy Grant. It’s a 50/50 grant. We have to pay half and the other half will come from the grant,” said Stribling.

The commission voted Monday night to approve the contract for the project.

DeKalb County is one of 24 Tennessee communities that will be receiving grant funding for clean energy projects. The total award amount statewide is $1.9 million. The Clean Tennessee Energy Grant (CTEG) program provides financial assistance to municipal governments, county governments, utility districts and other entities created by statute. Awarded projects have demonstrated a plan to reduce air emissions, improve energy efficiency and create cost savings.

A TVA Energy walk through lighting audit was conducted several months ago at the courthouse and jail as a service of Smithville Electric System to provide an energy usage analysis and the potential impact of LED lighting retrofits. Many of the lights throughout the courthouse are currently comprised of T-8, T-12, T-8 U tubes, and linear fluorescent bulbs that use a great deal of electricity. The jail also has a combination of obsolete T-8 and T-12 bulbs. LED lights, while more expensive, last much longer, consume less electricity and will make the buildings more energy efficient.

Retrofit lighting fixtures to LEDs in the Courthouse is to result in an estimated savings of 43,749 kWh and $5,955 annually. Converting lighting fixtures in the County Jail to LEDs will translate into an estimated savings of 51,132 kWh or $5,319 annually.

“Clean Tennessee Energy Grants help our communities reduce costs, increase savings, waste less energy and promote clean air,” said Governor Bill Haslam. “I appreciate the efforts of these grant recipients whose work will continue to make Tennessee a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

“We were pleased to offer this round of grant funding to communities that have not received support before or are identified as distressed by the Department of Economic and Community Development,” said Robert “Bob” Martineau, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “From more cost-effective lighting systems to efficient heating and air units, these awards will enhance service to customers while minimizing operating costs for these entities, saving taxpayer dollars.”

These projects will help improve air quality by reducing sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen, hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Funding preference was given to distressed counties identified by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and counties that have not previously received CTEG funding. Twenty of the grantees have not received CTEG funding before. Additionally, awarded projects must have a simple payback of less than 10 years.

Funding comes from a 2011 Clean Air Act settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Under the Consent Decree, Tennessee received $26.4 million to fund clean air programs in the state.

January 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Democratic Party will hold a Mass Meeting for county and state Democratic candidates, Saturday, February 17, 2018, to kick off the election year. The event will take place at the DeKalb County High School cafeteria, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Meet the candidates for Governor, US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, State Representative, County Mayor, Circuit Court Clerk, Road Supervisor, Sheriff, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Trustee, County Commission, School Board, City Council.

Mary Mancini, Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, will be the keynote speaker.

The event will feature live music by Jake Hoot, coffee, donuts, and conversation.

January 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Former County Mayor Mike Foster is now officially in the race to get his old job back.

Foster filed his qualifying petition with the election commission today (Wednesday) and it has been verified.

Foster is among three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the office in the May 1 Primary along with incumbent County Mayor Tim Stribling and 3rd District County Commissioner Bradley Hendrix, who have already filed their petitions and been verified. Randy Paris picked up a petition Tuesday to run for County Mayor in the DeKalb County General Election on August 2. He has not yet filed it.

The qualifying deadline for all county wide offices and the county commission is February 15.

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