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Buffalo's Ford stamping plant sees things in a new light

Ford receives grant from National Grid
WBFO News photo by Ashley Hassett
Ford receives grant from National Grid

Buffalo's Ford stamping plant announced the completion of a $2.7 million energy efficiency project Monday.

The Ford plant upgraded all of their light fixtures to LED to cut costs on electricity. The project took five months and is expected to save the amount of electricity 1,400 homes would use in a year. S3J Electronics president Adam Metz who worked on the project said the lights should last between seven and ten years.

"The quality of the light is much better. The color rendering of the light makes it a safer work environment by providing truer colors to the workers eyes as-well as allowing the workers to differentiate between
colors easier," said Metz.

This will also mean less bulb maintenance for employees who normally need to climb up to high rafters to change the bulbs.  

National Grid paid for half of the project through a grant. 

National Grid president Kenneth Daly said they are hoping to use the Ford plant as an example for other companies to become more energy efficient.

"Each light bulb is 70% more efficient then the prior light bulbs.  It really helps the customer use less energy, helps Ford keep their costs down but also really good for this region as far as environmental benefits," said Daly.

Daly said it's crucial for people to use their energy wisely.  He noted National Grid encourages everyone to make small changes to see a big difference in their monthly bill.

"If they don't have high efficient energy equipment; light bulbs, washing machines, refrigerators, really look in to upgrading to more efficient equipment, and then likewise in the summer when they're using their cooling systems, really be conscious of the temperature they set the cooling at and how frequently they're using it," said Daily.

Ford's Director of energy efficiency and supply George Andraos said Ford is hoping cars the company produces in the future can be more energy efficient.