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DNR awards energy improvement loan for work at Sewer Pumping Stations in Jefferson Parish

BATON ROUGE -  The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today, the approval of a $3 million low-interest energy efficiency loan to support Jefferson Parish’s efforts to modernize and upgrade its sewerage system.

Parish officials say the plans are to utilize the funds to update three of its pumping stations. The stations included in the project are at these locations – Terrytown No. 2, Transcontinental Drive, and Helios Avenue. At each pumping station, the upgrades are to replace aging constant speed pumps with newer units that utilize variable frequency drives and flow based controls. The pump replacement project will bring to bear the findings of a recent pilot program, focusing on an energy cost reduction between 23 to 75 percent over a one-year period at the piloted stations.

“We are eager to get started with the improvements, the results will mean better service to the residents of Jefferson Parish as well as benefiting the Parish with fewer overflows, enhanced quality of life, and reduced maintenance expenses,” noted Public Works Director Kazem Alikhani.

DNR’s energy efficiency loan program, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, is designed to assist in providing funding for qualified community-based projects that demonstrate potential for savings through more efficient use of energy. According to DNR Technology Assessment Director Tom Harris, “the department encourages communities to take a look at the possible benefits of the loan program and take Jefferson parish’s good example of saving energy, costs, and improving public safety, all at the same time. The recipients of low-interest loans are getting direct benefits, and it starts with the willingness to begin the application process.”

Harris said the loan program is part of the office’s overall mission to promote and encourage the use of energy efficient, environmentally responsible and economically feasible technologies that reduce our nation's dependence on foreign energy supplies, conserve our natural resources and protect the environment. DNR’s loan solicitation for this cycle was open to applicants from local governments, industry, non-profit agencies and commercial groups, who were required to provide written project proposals to be eligible for a 10-year loan with an interest rate of two percent.