The Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education has been working on an Energy Savings Project that will improve infrastructure and electrical systems in most of the district’s schools. While the board hasn’t voted on the project as of yet, they discussed the possibility of executing these improvements through a performance contracting service with CMTA Energy Solutions.
According to CMTA’s website, performance contracting is used for upgrades in a budget-neutral way, making it a viable option for clients who have little to no funds available for updates and renovations. CMTA guarantees that required funds will be saved through using their services instead of lost to utility companies, thereby providing new revenue streams to pay for renovation projects.
After listening to a presentation, each board member said they felt comfortable breaking away from the traditional bidding process and using CMTA for the upcoming project.
“CMTA is a really good company throughout the district, bar none,” said OPS Board Member Michael Johnson.
CMTA’s focus in on creating highly efficient buildings that minimize, possibly even eliminate, outside energy. To ensure renovation projects accumulate the ongoing energy savings promised, CMTA also continues to monitor projects after renovations are complete.
“All we have to do in April is make our decision to go with this company and then begin the negotiation process,” said OPS Superintendent Dr. Nick Brake. “We go down this road rather than pay with cash, which we really can’t do.”
OPS is able to use bonds rather than on-hand cash for the renovations performed across the district, and any savings OPS secures will be turned over to the bond payment. According to OPS Director of Maintenance and Facilities Chris Bozarth, CMTA guaranteed the district a 36 percent savings on energy costs.
While total projected costs for the project are expected to top $9 million, OPS is also expected to save more than $214,000 a year by using CMTA.
“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.”
Some of the repairs and renovations OPS will likely pursue include removing the chiller and piping at the Owensboro High School football field, as well as removing the air handler and finalizing the last 13 rooms to the Dalkin air system. Foust is expected to have their “end of life” boilers replaced, along with their chilled water system. Sutton Elementary will see a complete HVAC system upgrade and lighting replacement in nine classrooms, while Estes Elementary should have their power system upgraded to allow for use of outside air machines. Hager Preschool will have a control system upgrade along with having their damaged outside coils replaced, and the OPS transportation building and bus garage are expected to have a building envelope installed.
OMS North has experienced one of the most problematic issues due to a high concentration of humidity in the school, even causing some of the floors to warp. So even though OPS will have to wait until July 2020 to have these issues addressed — due to current bonds being used for maintenance at the soon-to-be iMiddle — schools like OMS North with the highest need, will likely see the initial improvements once the Energy Savings Project gets started.
