John Robert Smith

P.O. Box 1430
Meridian, MS 39302-1430

601-485-1927

www.meridianms.org

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The City of Meridian performed an energy audit in 1998 to identify the areas in which equipment could be replaced to maximize energy efficiency and result in cost savings.  The audit recommended replacing light fixtures in all city buildings with more efficient fluorescent fixtures, refurbishing 115 traffic signals with LED light fixtures, and replacing motors, when needed, with high efficiency models.

Snapshot of Climate Achievements

• 2006: The Central Fire Station installed a waste oil heater to heat the engine bay and reduce energy usage.
• 2003-2005: At the Wastewater Treatment Plant, a significant decrease in kilowatts occurred with digesters were converted from aerobic to anaerobic.  By adding additional micro-organisms to the digester, staff was able to turn off three, 200-hp blowers, resulting in a savings of $6,000 a month, which is split between the city and the supplier of the micro-organisms.
• 2000: Incandescent bulbs in traffic signals were changed to LED lenses, resulting in a drop in kilowatts/day from 2,257 to 479, with a savings of $3,400 a month.  The longevity of LED fixtures has dramatically reduced the labor costs involved in bulb replacement.
• 2000: More efficient light fixtures were replaced in 13 city-owned buildings for an average savings of $848 per month.

A Cool Quote

"Government must take the lead in showing an abiding commitment to good stewardship of our resources.  Adopting energy efficient practices is not only good for the environment, it is also a wise use of taxpayer money."