City of Arlington to Save $14MM through Landmark Energy Program Featuring LED Streetlights

ARLINGTON, Texas, March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 11^th, the City of Arlington, Texas, announced the beginning of a comprehensive energy program partnership with OpTerra Energy Services. The program will save $14MM in energy costs over the next 15 years. All of the energy efficiency improvements will be made while working within the City's existing budget and OpTerra Energy Services will guarantee the annual energy savings. 

Energy Efficiency for 22 Buildings, Retrofits for 10,500 Streetlights
The Arlington project will upgrade energy efficiency performance across 22 City sites, including Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center and the Elzie Odom Recreation Center. In addition to these infrastructure changes, the City is excited to be the first major city in the southwest to retrofit 10,500 old, High Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlights with new, high performing Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures.

Energy efficiency improvements will include replacing aging air conditioning equipment, modernizing control systems, and making significant lighting upgrades across City properties.

The full program, designed and developed by a Texas-based team of OpTerra engineers alongside City management, will decrease the City's energy use by more than 2.5 million kilowatt hours each year. The City's water consumption will also be reduced by more than 3,500,000 gallons every year. By reducing its purchase of utility power, the City will reduce its CO₂ emissions by 2,383 tons -- the equivalent to removing more than 385 passenger vehicles off the road every year. 

Leadership through LEDs
The extensive LED streetlight component of this program places the City of Arlington at the forefront of leading edge technology in Texas. Appearing brighter than the legacy yellow sodium vapor lights, the new LEDs fixtures will save energy, enhance safer streets, and redirect utility budget costs to support other City initiatives that improve the quality of life of Arlingtonians. 

"It is a privilege to work with the City of Arlington to achieve energy savings while also improving their facilities and making intersections more visible and crosswalks safer," said John Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer of OpTerra Energy Services. "Other cities can learn from the City of Arlington how energy efficiency improvements can result in cost savings and other benefits."

As echoed by Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, "The City of Arlington is pleased to take this step in a Public Private Partnership with OpTerra to improve our energy efficiency reflecting strong financial stewardship while also bringing economic development to the American Dream City. This partnership with OpTerra Energy Services will help make us a greener city through guaranteed savings."

The energy efficiency assessment is underway and conversion of the streetlights will begin this March.

About the City of Arlington:
Incorporated in 1884, the City of Arlington is located in the center of the Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington Metroplex. What started as a small rural farming community is now the nation's 50^th largest city and an international destination home to more than 365,000 residents. "The American Dream City" is 99 square miles of culture, excellence, and excitement.  It is home to a General Motors manufacturing plant, AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), Six Flags Over Texas, Globe Life Park (home of the Texas Rangers), and the University of Texas at Arlington, all drawing people from the around the world. For more information about the City of Arlington, visit www.arlingtontx.gov.

About OpTerra Energy Services:
OpTerra Energy Services, with Texas offices in Dallas and Houston, is a national energy company that partners with school districts, cities, counties, and commercial and industrial firms to implement comprehensive sustainability solutions that save money, generate revenue, improve assets, and protect the environment. OpTerra has worked with over 100 cities across the U.S., working to advance LED streetlight design and implementation for the benefit of residents. Learn more at www.opterraenergy.com.

For more information on the City of Arlington's Energy Efficiency and LED Program, please connect with Geoff Howland, OpTerra Regional Business Development Manager, (951) 830-5215, or Keith Melton, City of Arlington, (817) 459-6553.

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SOURCE OpTerra Energy Services

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http://opterraenergy.com