After discussing a multi-million dollar energy savings project last Tuesday at a board luncheon, Owensboro Board of Education voted in approval Thursday to bring CMTA Energy Solution on board for the project.
OPS Director of Maintenance and Facilities Chris Bozarth said OPS will begin the construction process by first focusing on Owensboro Middle School North’s HVAC equipment, a necessary step in preventing any further damage from occurring to OMS North’s warped flooring and preventing further humidity issues inside the school.
CMTA implements energy savings projects with school systems and other large-scale organizations by using performance contracting rather than the usual bidding process most contracting companies use. Performance contracting is a budget-neutral way to provide upgrades for clients who have little to no funds available.
CMTA guarantees that required funds will be saved through using their services instead of being lost to utility companies, thereby providing new revenue streams to pay for renovation projects.
Schools that will see renovations and upgrades within OPS’s district include Owensboro High School, OMS North, Foust Elementary, Sutton Elementary, Estes Elementary, Hager Preschool and the OPS transportation department. OMS South, Owensboro Innovation Academy and Newton Parrish will not be using CMTA as those schools will be undergoing separate renovations.
Board members hope the majority of the $9 million project can be completed before the fall semester begins in August. The OPS school district is expected to save upwards of $200,000 per year by using CMTA. OPS Superintendent Nick Brake said using CMTA to update this equipment is logical in the sense that OPS would be paying $9 million in utility costs over time anyway — this way, OPS can see improvements made, along with a long-time savings investment.
“We’re probably going to spend this kind of money on power so, this way, we can spend it on infrastructure for our buildings,” Brake said. “We feel comfortable with this approach.”
