MONTGOMERY— The Birmingham city school system is taking steps to save energy and cut utility costs with the help of a $143,922 economic stimulus grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.

The grant will fund upgrades to heating and air conditioning systems in nine schools. The new equipment will save an estimated $86,932 annually, according to the school system.

“These improvements are a wise economic and environmental investment,” Riley said. “Reducing energy expenditures will stretch taxpayer dollars and allow the school system to focus more resources on the classroom.”

The school system will replace heating and air conditioning control systems with models that use up to 15 percent less energy. The air conditioning systems use chilled water to produce cooled air, and water-source heat pumps to circulate warm water to generate heated air. The new, more efficient equipment will use 35 percent less water, a reduction of 12 million gallons per year, according to school system officials.

Elementary schools receiving the upgrades are Central Park, Hemphill, South Hampton and Sun Valley. Also receiving upgrades are Daniel Payne and Richard Arrington Jr. middle schools, Jackson Olin and Woodlawn high schools and Phillips Academy.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Riley notified Craig Witherspoon, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, that the grant had been approved.

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Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers