Earlier this month, the District filed an application with the State of Arizona School Facilities Board for federal financial assistance that would support energy upgrades at school facilities. The Board -- an executive agency under the auspices of Governor Jan Brewer -- has allocated a total of $13 million in energy efficiency grant funds.
Under the terms of the federal stimulus law, officially the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, eligible improvements must result in electricity or gas savings. Investments may include such measures as upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), lighting upgrades, energy controls, solar hot water or other improvements.
“Particularly in today’s challenging economic times, school districts can reap significant economic benefits by improving energy efficiency,” said James J. Dixon, Vice President of ConEdison Solutions. “We are very pleased to have been asked by the Tanque Verde schools to help attract federal stimulus dollars that will fund a project to lower the District’s energy bills.”
If approved, a federal stimulus grant can cover up to 30 percent of a project’s cost. The local district must make up the 70 percent balance. The maximum grant amount is $1 million per district. Districts do not require action by their school boards to submit a grant application. The School Facilities Board will announce grant approvals in January.
A school district may cover its share of the cost of an approved project in one of two ways: the district can allocate its own capital funds, or it can finance the project through an agreement known as an energy services performance contract.
Under such contracts, an energy services company (ESCO) guarantees that the upgrade will achieve a projected level of energy savings. The district makes no upfront payments but pays for improvements over time from savings resulting from the district’s lower-than-anticipated utility bills. The district is shielded from performance risk because the energy service company guarantees the level of savings.
About ConEdison Solutions
ConEdison Solutions is a leading energy services company that provides competitive power supply, renewable energy, sustainability services, and cost-effective energy solutions for commercial, industrial, residential, and government customers. The company is based in Valhalla, New York, with offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Falls Church, Virginia; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Durham, North Carolina and Overland Park, Kansas. The firm’s dedicated team of energy professionals delivers a broad range of commodity, consulting, demand-side management and performance contracting services. ConEdison Solutions offers programs and services designed to help customers achieve their individual energy objective, and is accredited as an Energy Services Provider (ESP) by the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO).
ConEdison Solutions is a subsidiary and registered trademark of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED). More information can be obtained by calling 1-888-210-8899 or visiting the ConEdison Solutions website at www.conedsolutions.com You can also visit the Consolidated Edison, Inc. website at www.conedison.com for information on all of the Consolidated Edison companies
Christine Nevin
ConEdison Solutions
(914)286-7094
(914) 629-2860 (c)
nevinc@conedsolutions.com
Steve Vitoff
The Marino Organization
(212) 889-0808 x-112
(516) 652-0785 (c)
steve@themarino.org
Large businessess, universities and government facilities can upgrade energy systems without capital expenditures
