Wilmington officials to detail second phase of energy-saving initiative

Wilmington’s “greening initiative,” designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases, will soon enter a second phase.

The city Department of Public Works gives a presentation today for the public, city council members and the city administration on the second phase of a $50.5-million initiative.  The session begins at 5:00 p.m. in council chambers of the Redding City-County Building, 800 North French Street, Wilmington.  The new project at the Hay Road Wastweater Treatment Facility will employ new technologies that dry out and reduce the volume of naturally-occurring byproducts of the treatment process, and capture the methane gas produced by the process.  Combined with the gas produced at the Cherry Island Landfill nearby, a “renewable, self-perpetuating fuel source” could be available.  The initial first phase involved a variety of improvements at a pumping station and a filtration plant, as well as the use of LED lights at traffic signals and installation of energy-efficient lighting and heating-and-air-conditioning equipment at city-owned properties.  Officials say both phases will replace about 50-percent of Wilmington’s grid electricity consumption with renewable generation, and will help the city exceed the goal of reducing greenhouse gas production by 20-percent under the Climate Protection Agreement.