Utah County energy initiative fueled by $6M in stimulus funds

PROVO — Utah County will use $6 million in federal stimulus funds to make 18 public buildings more energy efficient.

County officials have announced an energy initiative funded with $2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds and $4 million in Energy Conservation Bonds from the U.S. Treasury Department. The program will save more than $5 million in energy costs over the next 17 years, officials said.

Major benefits will go to the historic Utah County Courthouse in Provo, which will receive a new central heating and cooling plant, and the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork, which will have its chiller tower replaced.

Officials with Johnson Controls, a Milwaukee-based energy service firm, said the projects are expected to create about 130 jobs in Utah County.

"This initiative will enable us to capitalize on stimulus funds and upgrade aging infrastructure throughout the county with no impact to local taxpayers," said Utah County Commissioner Steve White.

— Marc Haddock