Libby lighting projects qualify for rebates, promise savings

By JOHN BLODGETT

The Western News

The installation of new lighting at the waste water treatment plant and at Libby City Hall qualifies for rebates and promises savings in electrical costs, according to City Administrator Jim Hammons.

At the treatment plant, Flathead Electric Cooperative incentives will contribute $1,530 toward the $3,230 cost of retrofitting lights and fixtures, with the final cost to the city being $1,700, Hammons reported March 5 to the Libby City Council. The new LED-type lights — the reason for the co-op incentives — will save an estimated $662 a year in electrical costs for a payback of about 2.2 years and an estimated return on investment of 44.6 percent.

At City Hall, the cost to update four lights at the south end of the parking lot will cost the city $555 after $880 in co-op incentives are applied, Hammons reported. Estimated annual savings on electrical costs will be $415, with a payback of about 1.2 years and an estimated return on investment of 82.6 percent.

Hammons said Ron Miller of Master’s Touch Electrical, who provided the cost and savings estimates, has ordered the parts and will begin the project after they arrive.