Ossining Public Schools Pursuing Energy-Efficiency Initiative

Ossining Public Schools has contracted with a firm that specializes in expert oversight of Energy Performance Contracts, in an effort to ensure optimal energy efficiency districtwide.

The ECG Group, an energy-savings engineering firm, will provide expert guidance and technical oversight for the district as it explores an Energy Performance Contract. Based on preliminary estimates by The ECG Group, Ossining Public Schools could expect to generate energy savings of at least $200,000 annually. This savings would be used to fund a minimum of $3 million in capital construction at no out-of-pocket cost to taxpayers.

“The energy performance contract is allowing our district to fully maximize our financial resources,” said Dr. Ray Sanchez, Superintendent of Schools. “By using the energy performance contract to self-fund needed energy-related upgrades, we are able to free up our capital reserve, budget, and any future bond plans to address non-energy related projects, thus getting more work done for the same taxpayer impact. ECG will provide us with the leadership and expertise necessary to fully understand our options and develop a capital funding strategy that is taxpayer-sensitive.”

The U.S. Department of Energy defines energy performance contracting as “a budget-neutral approach to make building improvements that reduce energy and water use and increase operational efficiency.” By partnering with an energy services company, a school district pays for today’s facility upgrades with tomorrow’s energy savings – and without tapping into capital budgets.

In contrast to a bond referendum, energy performance contracts do not require a tax increase or any out-of-pocket costs. The project is fully funded by a mix of building aid and guaranteed energy savings that the upgrades will yield over time. If the guaranteed energy savings do not materialize, the energy services company must make the school district whole.

“Ossining Public Schools has demonstrated its commitment to creating win-win solutions for its community through the initiation of an energy performance contract,” said Kendra McQuilton, CEO of The ECG Group, “We look forward to working with district leadership to enhance their infrastructure and improve the educational environment for decades to come.”

The scope of work for Ossining’s project will be developed after further review of the district’s priorities and existing infrastructure. Common upgrades that are facilitated through energy performance contracts include the following:

-- Districtwide LED lighting conversion for brighter classrooms districtwide.

-- Boiler replacements for improved heating system efficiency.

-- Temperature controls upgrades to improve comfort control of spaces districtwide.

-- Ventilation upgrades to improve ventilation and air quality for students and staff.

-- Building weatherization improvements, which saves money on heating by mitigating air leaks.

-- Pipe insulation to reduce heat loss in spaces and prevent injury.

-- Desktop computer power management to reduce energy use during unoccupied periods

-- Solar Energy to reduce energy costs and generate revenue.

The next step in the process is for The ECG Group to source proposals from energy services companies. Proposals are expected to be received in early August.