By Matthew Fleishman; Yardley News Editor

Lower Makefield Township, which has advertised a 0.4-mill property tax increase, along with a $52 local services tax, received some good news for their 2010 budget.

State Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-31) announced that the township will receive a $250,000 energy grant funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grant will allow the township to replace 23 incandescent traffic lights with light-emitting diode (LED) models, and swap out free-standing parking lot lights with LED lights.

In total, the grant is expected to save the township more than $50,000 in energy and maintenance costs each year, and potentially even more money once the price caps no longer apply for energy usage after 2010.

"This program is funded through federal stimulus money, which will result in not just one-time savings for local taxpayers, but annual savings for years to come," said Santarsiero. "It is an example of how targeted investment to improve our environment can also help improve our bottom line."

Santarsiero’s office broke down the benefits from this grant, which will result in a reduction of nearly $33,000 in energy costs, and more than $17,000 in annual maintenance costs savings for Lower Makefield Township. In total, more than 6.1 million kilowatt hours will be saved by making the switch to LED lights, which are more energy-efficient and last six times longer than normal lights.

Santarsiero added that the project will also bring jobs to Bucks County, not just tax savings.

“This project will also employ local manufacturers for the lighting fixtures and components, and the township will hire area contractors to complete the installation of the project,” said Santarsiero.

Lower Makefield Township officials said that they were grateful for the grant, but could not factor the savings into the 2010 budget because they do not have a definite date in 2010 for when the LED lights will be installed.

In total, the Pennsylvania Conservation Works! Program, will replace more than 4,000 traffic signals statewide to help reduce energy usage and save taxpayer dollars.

According to Santarsiero, the statewide electricity savings are enough to power 57,000 homes, and the natural gas that is not used would be able to heat 24,700 homes.

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-8), who voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in Congress, said that more than $1.2 million in federal green energy funding will come to Bucks County. The other three grants will go to Richland Township, which will install 1,350 photovoltaic solar panels; Warwick Township, which will replace 270 streetlights with LED fixtures; and the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, which will improve the energy efficiency of the chilled water plant in their outpatient care areas.

“These green grants are exactly what Bucks County needs to continue to lead Pennsylvania and the nation in green technology,” said Murphy. “I’m proud to fight for funding that creates jobs and lowers energy costs for Bucks’ small businesses and families.”

The 31st District includes Yardley and Newtown boroughs, Lower Makefield and Newtown townships, in addition to several precincts in Upper Makefield Township. Rep. Santarsiero’s office is located at 277 N. Sycamore Street, Newtown, and can be reached online at www.pahouse.com/santarsiero.