Salisbury’s Oldest Operating Firehouse To Receive Clean Energy Funding

1 of 12 Innovative Projects Selected in Maryland
Rockville, MD, April 26 – Governor Martin O’Malley announced today that the City of Salisbury will receive a $24,812 clean energy grant to replace 69 lighting fixtures at the oldest operating firehouse in the community and make additional safety and energy efficiency improvements. The lighting replacement plan is one of 12 projects across the state selected by the Maryland Clean Energy Center to receive funding assistance supplied by the US Department of Energy through the Maryland Energy Administration.

"These award recipients truly represent an investment in the talents and skills of our people," said Governor O’Malley. "I’d like to congratulate them for their hard work and recognize the Maryland Clean Energy Center for demonstrating a commitment to building our shared energy future. Together, we can continue to make Maryland a leader in clean energy by establishing vital partnerships, providing resources and incentives for our families and workforce, creating jobs and fueling innovation."

The grant will fund replacement of 69 traditional lighting fixtures in Salisbury Fire Station #2 at 801 Brown Street with energy-efficient high performance lighting and long-lasting CFL bulbs. The new lighting is expected to save over $6,000 in energy and maintenance costs every year, and to provide a brighter, safer environment for the firefighters. Additional safety improvements to the firehouse, which has been in operation since 1930, will include the installation of 4 ceiling cord reels offering better electrical connections in the apparatus bay and living quarters.
Salisbury’s Fire Chief Jeff Simpson said, "The Salisbury Fire Department is extremely fortunate to have the support of Governor O’Malley and the Maryland Clean Energy Center to improve the energy efficiency and safety of the Brown Street fire station. The investment will enhance our operational capability and reduce the amount of taxpayer money used to power the facility."

Awards were also granted to clean energy demonstration projects in public facilities across the state, including a geothermal energy system to increase heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) efficiency at the Fair Hill Nature Center in Cecil County; upgraded HVAC systems and lighting in the Riverdale Park Town Hall in Prince George’s County; retrofitting Easton traffic signals with light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs in Talbot County; installation of solar panels on the roof of the Edmonston Town Hall in Prince George’s County; replacement of 92 old lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED bulbs in the Hagerstown public parking garage in Washington County; replacement of 127 outdated lighting fixtures at Morningside Park Senior Housing in Howard County; and a hydroelectric power plant for the Frostburg public water system in Allegany County. One of the 12 awards is awaiting further approvals; award funding for all projects is subject to timely fulfillment of all grant requirements.

"The board of the Maryland Clean Energy Center approved a dozen awards that demonstrate the incredible range of clean energy solutions and innovations that are occurring in Maryland," noted the Center’s Executive Director I. Katherine Magruder. "With just under half a million dollars in federal funding, we are helping counties and municipalities across the state implement effective, efficient clean energy solutions that show the way to a cleaner, greener future."