Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Efficiency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Waunakee committee approves three-year Data Wrangler agreement after trial showing utility savings and grant support
Summary
Following a three-month trial, the district will proceed with Data Wrangler’s three-year energy-management contract. Administrators reported early electric-bill savings and a $10,000 grant from WPPI; they also said they are applying for a Wisconsin Focus on Energy verified-savings reimbursement.
After a three-month pilot, the Waunakee Community School District budget committee approved moving forward with Data Wrangler’s multi-year energy‑management service, with administrators citing early measured savings and utility-grant support.
Administrators reported they received a $10,000 payment from WPPI (a utility partner) for participating in the pilot and said they are near completion of an application to a new Wisconsin Focus on Energy verified-savings program that would reimburse districts for measured energy reductions. During the trial administrators said Data Wrangler identified roughly $2,513 in electrical-savings for November and $5,705 for the second month of operation; staff also presented a month-by-month example showing a projected reduction and a corresponding Data Wrangler fee that the district would offset with measured savings and expected reimbursements. Administrators said the product’s base plan is offered under a three-year fixed-fee option and that Data Wrangler does not offer a one-year-only pricing plan.
Why it matters: staff told the committee the service can do two things the district could not easily do on its own: (1) analyze building-by-building utility-use patterns to identify persistent demand charges and operating-hour inefficiencies, and (2) document verified savings so the district can legally shift some costs into a Fund 80 accounting approach for community use revenue or user-fee models if the board chooses that path. Administrators said Fund 80 work could yield material revenue or reallocation options but would be a later step after the three-year base program is in place.
Board discussion and decision
Board members said they want regular updates and checks to ensure the district follows Data Wrangler recommendations and converts reports into action. Administrators said they will pursue the verified-savings application (deadline mentioned) and will return to the board with results and with any Fund 80 recommendations in the months ahead. The motion to proceed with Data Wrangler’s multi-year service passed on a recorded voice vote (all in favor).
