Swampscott looking to save green by going green

SWAMPSCOTT – The town is moving forward with ways to go green.Last summer the town’s Alternative Energy Committee suggested ways the town could save money while helping the environment.In accord with the recommendation from the committee, the town is soliciting Requests for Qualifications from energy performance contractors.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said the ultimate goal would be to upgrade municipal buildings to make them more energy efficient at no cost to the town. He explained energy performance contractors assess buildings and make energy saving upgrades at no cost to the town.”There are companies that specialize in energy performance contracting in the public sector,” he said.He explained under energy savings performance contracts, private sector energy service companies finance, install and maintain new energy efficient equipment in municipal buildings with little or no up-front cost to the town. Maylor said the energy service company is paid back over time from the dollars saved by the town on its energy and maintenance bills.Maylor said in some cases upgrades in equipment, including lights and air conditioning systems, could save money for the town in the long run.Maylor pointed out a few years ago the town swapped out its existing traffic lights in favor of a more energy efficient model, which was paid for in part with a grant from National Grid. He said that project was successful and the town is recouping the cost of the lights through energy savings.Maylor added the water faucets that were installed during the Town Hall renovation project are automated and shut off within 30 seconds, which saves on water.A few years ago the Alternative Energy Committee looked into the possibility of locating a wind turbine in town but a feasibility study concluded there was no appropriate place in town for such a facility because the town is too dense.