A new contract to replace all of Allegheny County's 406 copiers, printers and fax machines is the latest addition to the county's efforts in cutting waste and energy costs as part of its Allegheny Green initiative, officials said.

The county has signed a contract with Amcom Office Solutions of Imperial to install Energy Star-rated office machines, which are expected to save more than $400,000 in energy costs annually or about $2.3 million over the five-year contract period.

"Since 2004, my administration has worked hard to change the way county government does business and to operate efficiently in order to save taxpayers' money," said County Executive Dan Onorato.

Last year, Mr. Onorato implemented the Allegheny Green initiative, a comprehensive plan to promote sustainable practices within county government and through county-wide policies and programs.

Also participating under the negotiated terms of the county's contract are the city of Pittsburgh, which will replace its 105 machines, and the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which will replace its 18 copiers, printers and fax machines.

Officials said that the new contract is a cost-per-copy agreement.

Based on the county's current volume of 3.2 million copies per month, the new contract will cost $2.6 million over the five-year term, a 47 percent reduction in cost from the previous contract with Van Dyk Business Systems of Green Tree, officials said.

And to save paper and additional costs, all of the county's new machines will be set to print double-sided by default.

In replacing its machines, the city will see its cost per copy reduced by 25 percent as a result of leveraging the county's volume. That will translate into savings of more than $38,000 annually for the city, said Kevin Evanto, a county spokesman.

The machines are expected to be delivered and installed next week.