ESC recognizes Michigan facilities for energy efficiency
November 16, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2016
Contacts:
ESC: Jim Arwood, Executive Director (602) 468-1702, jimarwood@cox.net
ESC – MI Chapter: Diane Mills, President (616) 901-0518, dmills@occupantcare.com
LANSING, MI – In recognition of significant energy efficiency investment and demonstrated energy cost savings at facilities throughout the state, Energy Services Coalition – Michigan Chapter (ESC) announced today five recipients of the Leaders in Energy Efficiency award. The honorees at the ESC’s Sixth Annual Awards event included the City of Grand Rapids, Manistee Public Schools, Riverview Public Schools, Washtenaw Intermediate School District and West Branch Regional Medical Facility. Also, Rep. Al Pscholka (District 79), MI House of Representatives, was recognized for leadership in passing Public Acts 119-123 of 2016, which enable municipalities to finance Energy Savings Performance Contracts with another cost-effective option and Public Act 485 of 2014, which provided the ability to enhanced Energy Savings Performance Contracting at Michigan Community Colleges.
Collectively, this year’s recipients, who oversee energy consumption, invested nearly $8.0 million in energy efficiency improvements through performance contracting. The investments are saving more than $689,000 annually. In the period of 2011-2016, the ESC Michigan Chapter has recognized recipients for a total of $112.9M in energy efficiency and renewable energy investments and $7.6 M in annual savings.
Performance contracts allow building owners to make energy and water cost-saving improvements in facility operations and equipment, and pay for the improvements using future avoided energy costs. Some common improvements include upgrades, repairs and/or replacement of HVAC equipment and building controls, building envelope, interior and exterior lighting, pumps and motors, and other deferred maintenance items. Improvements can also include renewable energy generation systems.
“An energy performance contract is a great solution for public and private organizations as it eliminates the challenge of the heavy upfront investment -- which is often the biggest barrier to implementing energy-saving technologies and much needed building improvements,” said Diane Mills, ESC-Michigan Chapter President. “It is an investment that not only pays for itself, but provides a strong catalyst for job growth in local communities.”
The annual awards event attracts energy efficiency experts from around the state and this year the event was held at the offices of the Michigan Agency for Energy. The event featured a keynote address by Lieutenant Governor, Brian Calley and a facilitated panel discussion with the award recipients.
Following is the project list by size and savings that were honored with a 2016 ESC–MI Chapter award.
The Energy Services Coalition is a public-private partnership that promotes the benefits of providing education on, and serving as an advocate for the widespread use of energy performance contracting in public and private facilities. http://www.energyservicescoalition.org/.
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About Energy Services Coalition – Michigan Chapter
The mission of the ESC-Michigan Chapter is to accelerate the use of performance contracting in the State of Michigan to support infrastructure modernization, sustainability, economic development and national security. The state chapter was formed in August, 2010. The benefits of Energy Savings Performance Contracts include: self-funded building improvements and deferred maintenance through cash-neutral projects, guaranteed cost savings and support for local job creation and local economic stimulus. For more information visit http://mi.energyservicescoalition.org/