By Legislator Brian May
Onondaga County continues to make smart investments in our infrastructure — in this case, our wastewater infrastructure. An energy audit, known as a FlexTech study, was conducted by Wendell Engineering on several of our treatment plants and pump stations to determine areas where improvements would reduce the cost to treat our wastewater. Fifty percent of the study was funded by NYSERDA, a state energy research and development authority which promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) projects are considered self-funded capital projects because there is a return on the investment with the reduction in annual utility costs. The Department of Water Environment Protection (WEP) has identified $39 million in projects within the system that are capable of being funded with their total costs, including interest on the bonding, paid back through efficiencies in less than 15 years.
After prioritizing the list of ECMs based on need and the best payback, the legislature authorized funding for $10.3 million to advance 16 projects. They range in cost and complexity, as well as in payback periods. For example, a $9,956 software upgrade yields a total annual savings of $1,560. The software will pay for itself in six years. Many of the energy projects qualify for other incentives from National Grid or NYSERDA and will reduce the payback periods by years. The largest project is upgrading more than 20 aeration-blowers. The existing blowers are more than 20 years old, require a great deal of maintenance and are inefficient. Aerating, or adding oxygen, is a key component of wastewater treatment. Upgrading the aeration-blowers increases efficiency, reduces energy used, reduces maintenance costs and provides more operational flexibility.
Bonding for energy-saving projects that carry a return on the investment is a good use of our funding. Much of the equipment in our treatment plants and pump stations are nearing the end of their useful life. Upgrading the system now, with the incentives and low-interest bond rates, is a win-win solution for the taxpayers.
Brian May represents the first district, which includes the town of Lysander and the western portion of the town of Clay.
