US police buildings save energy to cut expenditure
A growing number of US police departments are going green by introducing energy-saving initiatives to their buildings, it has emerged.
The law enforcement publication officer.com reports that police stations across the US are becoming more environmentally friendly as departments look to make budget savings.
Police chief Robert Stewart of the Cotati Police Department in California told the website that the desire to "reduce future costs" played a key role in the design of a new structure for the department.
The use of energy-efficient lighting combined with a geothermal heat pump and a photovoltaic renewable energy system has helped the police force to make substantial savings on its energy use, as well as reducing maintenance costs.
"If I had to pay for building maintenance without a green building it would cost substantially more. Having green features lessens the impact on our budget," Mr Stewart told the magazine.
Meanwhile, police forces in North Yorkshire, UK, are attempting to reduce their carbon footprint and make operational savings by spending £2.5 million in a fleet of fuel-efficient cars.
