Geothermal System to Anchor Buchanan County Jail Project

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — The new jail in Buchanan County will feature a geothermal heating and cooling system among other environmentally sustainable design components.

The geothermal system will add approximately $300,000 to the construction cost of the $4.5 million jail replacement project, which is being funded through a bond issue. Funding for the geothermal system will be sourced independently.

“This is something the board is looking at paying for themselves because eventually they’re looking to put the geothermal (system) in the courts as well,” says Sheriff Bill Wolfgram.

The county’s “Green Team,” composed of one member from each county office, will work to source funds for the geothermal system from state or federal loans and grants for energy-efficient and alternative-energy systems, officials say.

Project architects will also work with a local lighting company to integrate a variety of energy-efficient lighting components designed to reduce energy consumption and operational in the new building.

The jail is currently housed in the 66-year-old Buchanan County Courthouse.

Approval to rebuild the jail came after state officials reduced capacity from 25 to 17 inmates. The new jail will have about 40 beds, some of which may be used to generate revenue by housing inmates from other jurisdictions, Wolfgram says.