Virginia schools and county aim to reduce energy and water usage
Bedford County (BC) and Bedford County Public Schools (BCPS) in Virginia have signed a $7.9 million guaranteed energy savings agreement with Westborough, Mass.-based NORESCO, an energy services company.
The project is funded by reductions in energy and water usage over a 15-year contract term, with no upfront cost to taxpayers. The project delivers a variety of upgrades to county buildings and schools. The aggregated project includes improvements to lighting, energy management and HVAC systems, water conservation and weatherization. The building and school enhancements aim to improve the learning and work environment for students, teachers and staff, according to NORESCO. Construction began at the end of April 2012, and completion is forecasted for October 2013.
In BCPS, the first energy improvements are being installed at Staunton River High School. Crews are working to replace the school’s old boiler system with a more efficient one. Target date for completion is late 2012. In the future, school officials hope the deal with NORESCO will free up money for a variety of other initiatives.
“We have a lot of projects that need to be done so we can really streamline and focus on those going forward rather than diverting money to these types of projects,” said Randy Hagler, chief financial officer for BCPS. Over the next 15 years, school officials say every school will receive green updates. For the next BCPS project, NORESCO will work on new lighting at Otter River Elementary School.
NORESCO’s analysis of financial options demonstrated that BC and BCPS could achieve greater results by working in tandem, resulting in improved buying power and jointly procured services. As beneficiaries of the collaboration, three schools are financially able to receive new windows. Working separately, school capital would have been required for the new windows. ”BC and BCPS are trusted to take care of citizens, students, teachers and staff. NORESCO is pleased to work on projects, such as this, to innovate solutions with local governments,” said John Hobbes, group director, NORESCO. The company specializes in the development, design, construction, financing and operation of energy and environmental efficiency projects, and is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.
NORESCO specializes in the development, design, construction, financing and operation of energy and environmental efficiency projects, performance contracting and central energy plants. NORESCO’s clients include federal government agencies, universities, state and local governments, school districts, hospitals, industrial and commercial businesses. NORESCO has implemented more than $2.5 billion in energy savings at more than 2,000 sites throughout the U.S. and abroad.
