Loudoun County on Tuesday passed two measures to promote energy efficiency, despite pointed opposition from two supervisors.
The county will upgrade six of its largest energy-using facilities, including the government center, courts building, and fire and rescue training center, to lessen their effect on the environment. The total cost of the upgrades is expected to be just over $1 million.
Custom Energy Services, Loudoun’s energy services contractor, projected nearly $143,000 in annual savings with the implementation of all 29 recommended measures, which include building weatherization, the installation of high-efficiency lighting, and water conservation.
The board in May adopted a goal to reduce the county’s overall energy consumption by 15 percent by 2012.
“This is a very important piece toward working toward that goal,” said Andrea McGimsey, D-Potomac.
But Lori Waters, R-Broad Run, said the steep price tag would put undue stress on the county’s debt load, adding that it would take 10 years for the county to make up the initial cost of implementing the measures.
“To me, it’s putting the cart before the horse,” she said.
Nevertheless, the county also renewed its membership in Climate Communities, a national coalition of cities and counties that works with federal policymakers to address climate change.
The board approved the $9,000 annual membership fee for fiscal 2010, a prospect met with heated rhetoric from Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio.
“[This is] socialism, pure and simple,” the Sterling Republican said. “We’re having a freeze, we’re having a meltdown, we’re having an increase in temperatures, we’re having a decrease in temperatures — I’ve seen it all.”
Stevens Miller, D-Dulles, who supported Loudoun’s membership in the council, responded with a slightly different view.
“I am simply tired,” he said, of those who spout “non-evidence and pseudo-science.”
“Well, look at who it is, and decide who you want to believe,” Miller continued.
McGimsey said membership in the group has been crucial in securing $2.2 million in federal funding through an energy efficiency grant.
“[That’s a] tremendous return on investment,” she said.
Both measures passed 5-2, with Delgaudio and Waters opposed and Chairman Scott York, I-at large and Jim Burton, I-Blue Ridge, absent.
