COMPTON, Calif. – November 19, 2007 – American City & County magazine has selected the city of Compton, Calif., as a Crown Communities Award winner. The award recognizes the city’s Strategic Energy Initiative with Johnson Controls to upgrade city facilities and street lights, lower energy use, save money on utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The program is unique because the cost savings not only fund infrastructure improvements but also provide for the deployment of critical public safety equipment that helps communities prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies. Johnson Controls is projecting total savings of more than $4.4 million for the life of the 15-year contract.
The city also is saving water through a new leak-detection system in some 45 miles of water mains. This system was monitored for three months to identify and repair water leaks, resulting in less waste and lower water utility costs. The second phase of the project includes implementing a city-wide automated water meter replacement program that also detects leaks.
With Johnson Controls help, the city also is undertaking a massive energy-efficiency project in its facilities that includes replacing nearly 5,000 lighting fixtures in 22 city-owned buildings. City workers are enjoying better light levels in offices and a significantly more comfortable and attractive environment – resulting in improved employee morale and productivity.
City Hall itself has a new Metasys building automation system that centrally manages heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment for greater operational efficiency. Johnson Controls also outfitted the building high-efficiency chillers, pumps and motors and a new cooling tower. In addition to cost savings, the city benefits through reduced greenhouse gas emissions by utilities, lower maintenance and operational costs, and longer life for HVAC equipment.
