Soon, Langley City Hall will have a new roof that can support a different kind of energy.

Langley was recently awarded a $249,290 grant to re-roof the city hall, which includes installation and a structural retrofit, according to Mayor Kennedy Horstman. As she explained, the latter improvement is part of the next phase of Solar Plus Storage, which refers to the use of solar panels and battery storage that ensures energy can be stored for later use, rather than using it as it is generated or sending it back to the electricity grid.

Though the city was awarded a feasibility study grant for the Solar Plus Storage initiative, another funding source had to be identified to cover the re-roofing and retrofitting costs. The mayor applied for Local Community Project funding, which is administered through the state Department of Commerce.

“I am grateful for Clyde Shavers’ and Dave Paul’s support – as well as support from their legislative assistants who helped me with the application process,” Horstman said. “The city has until June 2027 to execute the project and expend the funds. We hope to subsequently apply for funding to proceed with Solar Plus Storage. But even if we face delay on that front the reroofing and insulation should help us conserve energy in the meantime.”