The state announced that it has awarded a contract to green 40 Maryland State Police buildings state-wide. This is the seventh round of contracts to improve energy efficiency at state buildings.

The move is part of the O'Malley administration's effort to cut power use by 15 percent by 2015.

The effort isn't just good for the environment, it save us taxpayers, state officials say. Utility costs are expected to be reduced by 26 percent. During the next 14 years, that means savings of $15.9 million.

The Board of Public Works agenda lists the contractor as Johnson Controls and the contract value at almost $12 million -- so looks like we make our money back on the upgrades that include new lights, water conservation retrofits, HVAC improvements and other stuff.   

The project will be managed by the Maryland Department of General Services, which reports that greenhouse gas emissions will also be significantly reduced -- 4.614 million pounds of carbon dioxide, or the same amount emitted by powering 220,000 homes within the life of the contract. Electricity use will be cut by more than 3.4 million kilowatt hours and more than 5,400 gallons of fuel oil and 95,280 therms of natural gas will be saved.

The state has six other contracts to green other buildings, including House and Senate office buildings, Government House, the Court of Appeals, William Donald Schaefer Tower, the Grasmick State Education Building and Saratoga State Center.

Once complete, the state expects to save $7.5 million annually.

Photo of State Police Barrack I in Easton courtesy of the Maryland Department of General Services