The Bowie City Council voted Tuesday night to pursue financing of a nearly $4 million energy project that will not only replace all water and electric meters and street lights, but provide “guaranteed” energy and maintenance savings of $7.4 million over the 20-year-life of the program.

Billy McCord of Ameresco presented the project to the council. It uses the provisions of Texas Local Government Code 302 which allows municipalities to update their infrastructure through an energy performance contract financed through an energy conservation low interest plan.

In a related energy issue, the council approved plans to reduce electric rates by nearly two percent for several classes of customers. Pictured is the residential rates chart. Read the full story in the weekend News.