The City of Reading has embarked on a nearly $18 million energy-efficient upgrade, aimed at enhancing sustainability and reducing energy costs. In partnership with Schneider Electric, the project will span over the next two years and involve significant infrastructure improvements, including the installation of LED lighting and solar canopies across several municipal buildings.
The project, which is part of the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) program, will see LED lights added to City Hall, public parks, recreation centers, and the Public Works building. In addition, solar canopies will be installed at City Hall, the Public Works building, and the Cedar Street parking lot. Key upgrades will also include modernizing heating and air conditioning systems in four historical fieldhouses located at Pendora, Keffer, Schlegel, and Baer Parks.
Bethany Ayers-Fisher, the city’s Sustainability Manager, outlined the project’s benefits during a recent interview with Dr. Jodi Radosh at Alvernia University. “When all is said and done with energy savings calculations, we expect the project to significantly reduce energy costs,” she said. The improvements are expected to save Reading approximately $9 million over the next 20 years. Funded through a combination of a $12 million loan and $6 million in COVID-19 relief funds, the project’s total cost will be reduced to $4 million after accounting for energy savings, utility rebates, and federal grant support.
In her interview, Ayers-Fisher emphasized the long-term value for taxpayers. “It seems like $18 million is a lot, but in the end, we are only paying $4.7 million thanks to bundling projects and using available rebates and grants,” she explained, adding that the city will see nearly $9.5 million in energy savings during the project’s 20-year performance period.
One of the most notable components of the upgrade is the addition of air conditioning to the city’s historic fieldhouses, some of which were built during the Franklin Roosevelt administration. The conversion of these facilities from oil heating to electric systems, combined with the installation of more efficient air conditioning, will make them more comfortable and economical to maintain.
The project supports Reading’s ambitious goal of transitioning to renewable energy by 2050. As Ayers-Fisher pointed out, this initiative not only represents an investment in the city’s future but also aligns with broader state and federal efforts to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
Currently, the city is in the process of finalizing the project timeline and coordinating logistics to ensure minimal disruption to public facilities, especially the athletic fields that will receive upgraded lighting.
As this major sustainability project moves forward, Reading continues to make strides toward its long-term environmental goals while providing immediate cost-saving benefits for its residents.
