County Approves Energy Audit, Buys Electric Patrol Cars For Correctional Facility

The Bucks County Commissioners have approved a firm to begin an energy audit.

Protogen Energy, of Quakertown Borough, will conduct an audit of county operations to see how Bucks County government can “save energy and explore new opportunities for alternative energy,” Commissioners Vice Chairperson Bob Harvie said earlier this month.

The company will produce a report at no cost to taxpayers after reviewing all of the county’s facilities and energy bills, Harvie said.

Protogen Energy conducted a similar audit for Berks County several years back. Harvie said he reviewed that report and found it to be in-depth.

After the audit, the county could consider hiring the firm for a secondary program, Harvie said.

Also dealing with energy, the commissioners approved the $57,200 purchase of two 2021 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars for the Bucks County Department of Corrections from Whitmoyer Buick and Chevrolet in Lancaster County.

The two electric cars will be used for outer perimeter patrols at the Doylestown Township correctional facility.

Christopher Pirolli, the corrections director, said the department’s patrol vehicles sit and idle frequently, which causes the current non-electric vehicles to frequently need replacing.

“We go through a lot of vehicles,” he said.

Harvie compared the corrections department’s patrol vehicle use to that police departments, which often go through vehicles due to mileage and wear and tear from long periods of idling.

“It’s a huge benefit to have vehicles like this,” Harvie said of adding electric cars.

The corrections department’s new electric vehicles will be able to be charged through wall outlets and adding dedicated charging stations is being explored, Bucks County General Services Director Kevin Spencer said.

A study by Hyattsville City, Maryland police compared a typical gas-powered patrol vehicle to a 2017 Chevrolet Bold patrol car. The department found that while the electric car cost more to purchase, it would save more than $15,800 in gas over five years and had a lower maintenance cost.

Correction: Protogen Energy is located in Quakertown Borough, not Richland Township as previously reported.

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