Strafford County hears utility-backed energy-efficiency and on-site generation study; commissioners favor engineering study

Strafford County commissioners discussed a utility‑supported energy efficiency scoping study during their meeting, hearing from Eversource and Unitil consultants about low‑cost retrocommissioning, lighting and controls upgrades, and larger on‑site generation options that could supply electricity and heat to multiple county buildings. Jack Palousek of Eversource and consultants from GDS Associates presented the findings and recommended an engineering study to refine scope, cost and payback estimates.

The study, described by consultant Jeremy Blanchard as a "high level" no‑cost audit, identified measures for four county facilities (Riverside/Olms House, the Department of Corrections, the courthouse and Heider House). Blanchard told the commissioners retrocommissioning—optimizing existing building controls—typically shows a roughly three‑year payback and is a low‑cost first step. "If anything, [paybacks] would be lower with those incentives from the electric and gas utility," he said, referring to utility incentives not yet folded into the tables presented.

The consultants outlined larger options as well. Palousek and Blanchard described…