COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Using the sun to save millions of dollars, but also spending millions to do it -- that's what the Franklin County Commissioners have in mind.
The Commissioners announced Tuesday a $25 million initiative to make county buildings green -- and it's the largest green initiative by a local government in Ohio, NBC 4's Lauren Diedrich reported.
Vegetation will soon grow on one county annex building for the purpose of insulation.
Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks said the vegetation and solar panels are just a few green improvements that will be implemented downtown during the next two years.
"This is our own little stimulus package for Franklin County," Brooks said.
She said the initiative will result in hundreds of new jobs in Franklin County as workers will be busy upgrading and retrofitting several of the buildings near High and Fulton streets.
According to Brooks, 144 solar panels will be installed on one building, and the total cost of improvements is estimated to be more than $25 million.
But the total savings over 20 years is estimated at $48 million.
Commissioners said that when the solar panels are operating at full capacity, they will be able to provide lighting for the entire building.
The panels will be installed during the summer of 2009 and the rest of the projects should be completed by the spring of 2010.
Funding will come from a special bond fund created last year, and Brooks said there won't be any cost to taxpayers.
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for additional information.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at stories@nbc4i.com.
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement