NEWBURGH — Indiana American Water broke new ground in multiple ways Friday.
The subsidiary of American Water Company literally broke ground for a new $1.4 million solar energy project at its Newburgh Operations and Treatment Center.
The project also is Indiana American Water’s first solar project in the state. The hope is that the solar energy facility will be completed by the end of 2017.
“The water industry is one of the largest users of electric power,” Indiana American Water Present Deborah Dewey said.
A single gallon of water weighs eight pounds, she said.
“This project, which will cut our cost for electricity by approximately $65,000 annually, is not only great for our bottom line, it is also great for our customers and the environment,” Dewey said. “For every dollar we save in our operating maintenance cost, we can invest $7 in capital investments and replacing old infrastructure without raising rates.”
A superintendent at the Newburgh Treatment saw what Brad Morton — president of Morton Solar, which is constructing the project— was doing with other solar projects in the area.
The project, which will include 1,360 panels, will abate nearly 500 tons of CO2 emissions a year.
“This will be the biggest one in Vectren’s service,” Morton said.
http://www.courierpress.com/story/news/local/2017/09/17/indiana-american-water-building-solar-energy-facility-newburgh/669669001/