Scranton, PA

Mayor: Chris Doherty

Date of Adoption:
2009-04-22

Primary Contact:
Laura Piraino

Why My City is Cool

"Scranton, the "Electric City," has adopted the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement and become a Cool City.

The Doherty administration has done significant work at City Hall and in its Fire Houses to reduce energy usage including installation of energy efficient lighting and light sensors; installation of low-flow toilets and water-saving faucets; purchase of Energy Star appliances and energy efficient, insulated doors at Fire Houses; replacement of energy inefficient water fountains with water coolers; replacement of the old steam heat system with high efficiency boilers for a savings of $145,000 annually and implementation of a computer-controlled energy management system.

The city also significantly reduced its use of paper, planted 250 trees last year in South Side and installed LED lights at ten intersections.

To further its commitment under Cool Cities, the Doherty administration will use $718,500 in stimulus funding to improve energy efficiency, conduct energy audits of city buildings, and continue to promote energy efficiency through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy. The city will urge increased recycling by employees and residents, and continue to promote tree planting to increase shade and absorb CO2.

Community efforts are also continuing. The county and city are encouraging greater use of alternative transportation such as bicycles by installing conveniently placed bicycle racks. A tire collection was recently organized by the county with participation by the city and the county also held an eCyling event last fall. A Lackawanna County Sustainability Festival is in the works that will be held this summer in downtown Scranton featuring artists, green vendors and musicians.