Grant sought for downtown lights

Marianna is asking for a grant to upgrade downtown street lights and light fixtures at City Hall. Doing so could save thousands of dollars a year and help reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to Marianna City Manager Jim Dean.
The Marianna City Commission approved submission of the grant application this week.
The city wants a no-match federal Department of Energy grant of $165,610, money that would come from that agency’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.
Dean said the funding sought is part of the federal stimulus package enacted this year.
If awarded, the grant would replace 137 light fixtures in City Hal,l and 52 street lights downtown, with more energy-efficient units.
He estimates that the city could save $9,581 in electrical costs each year by replacing the fixtures.
The maintenance savings from replacing the old City Hall lights is projected to be $15,000 over a five-year period.
The street lights would not need maintenance for almost a quarter-century. Dean said the city would retain the posts and simply replace the lamps.