The City of Porterville, Calif. has selected Johnson Controls, the global multi-industrial leader in providing energy efficiency solutions, to provide facility improvements at 16 venues, including the Porterville city hall, municipal airport and police station.
The enhancements are anticipated to save the city more than $67,000 in energy costs annually over the next 15 years. The project is scheduled for completion in July 2010.
The energy conservation program will help address three areas of facility improvements – lighting; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; and water conservation. These enhancements will increase each building’s energy efficiency and operational performance while reducing energy costs and promoting a more comfortable work environment.
Lighting upgrades will take place in 13 city buildings, including the Porterville Public Library and the Porterville Heritage Community Center. HVAC systems improvements at both city hall and the police station will help more effectively manage and monitor temperature controls while reducing energy usage. Water conservation programs will be implemented at four buildings, including the Porterville Police department and three parks to manage water usage and waste. The Parks that will see improvements include Murry, Veterans, Zalud, and the Porterville Sports Complex.
“As we assessed current facility operations, it became clear that energy enhancements were a necessity based on the number of parks and buildings that were outdated and wasting resources,” said Porterville Mayor Pete V. McCracken. “Support from Johnson Controls will help us realize cost savings and reduce our energy and water consumption.”
The energy and water conservation plan is part of a performance contract with Johnson Controls, which enables the city to significantly reduce its utility costs and carbon footprint. The cost savings generated will repay the project capital investment over the term of the contract without increasing its operating budget.
“Energy efficiency has never been more important to municipalities across the country,” said Ralph A. Tyrell, Jr., regional manager, local government energy solutions, Johnson Controls. “Through the city’s commitment to energy efficiency, Porterville residents will realize a more comfortable, safe and sustainable environment for years to come.”
Additional city facilities to realize improvements include the Porterville Community Center, the Porterville Fire Department offices, and the Porterville Sports Complex.
The City of Porterville, with more than 51,000 residents, is located along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Porterville is centrally located to access major markets and transportation routes, with an agricultural-based economy in citrus, wheat, hay, cotton and other crops. A family-oriented community, more than 36 percent of Porterville’s population is under the age of 20, with award-winning K-12 schools and the Porterville College campus of the Kern Community College District.
Can we be a little less credulous please when reprinting press releases verbatim?
“The City of Porterville, with more than 51,000 residents”
Probably more like 35,0000. We will see once the Census is in.
“is located along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California’s San Joaquin Valley”
True.
“Porterville is centrally located to access major markets and transportation routes”
No, not centrally located at all. In fact, Porterville is the LARGEST City in all of California as far away from a major highway as it is. We are 23 miles from Route 99, the nearest major highway, and there are no towns between here and there.
“with an agricultural-based economy in citrus, wheat, hay, cotton and other crops”
Yes.
“A family-oriented community”
No, Porterville is the only City in the State who’s City Council urged its own consituents to vote to remove existing civil rights from some of its own neighbors. Which they did, voting over 75% in favor of Prop 8.
“more than 36 percent of Porterville’s population is under the age of 20″
Can’t say. Maybe, maybe not.
“with award-winning K-12 schools and the Porterville College campus of the Kern Community College District”
Yet the City’s own Economic Development website, “chooseporterville.com” says that of adults over 35, 84% have only a high school education or less. At best, this is a serious brain-drain, at worst it is disingenuous.
Look, this deal with Johnson Controls is a good one, and a necessary one. But Porterville is NOT as described in this press release, not even close. Those intrigued by the description in the Press release should look at Porterville with very open eyes before jumping in. There is a lot of opportunity here if you have the right mindset, but have the wrong idea going in and you will find little of use.