Mount Sinai UFSD hears update on proposed energy performance contract with Amaresco

Mount Sinai Union Free School District officials received an update on a proposed energy performance contract (EPC) with Amaresco during a board meeting presentation by consultants from Energia and Amaresco.

The presentation described the EPC as a construction and facilities-improvement project that would fund LED lighting upgrades, HVAC controls replacement, expanded building automation and potential roof-mounted solar. Consultants said the project would be financed using guaranteed energy savings rather than new taxpayer debt; one presenter described the funding source as "guaranteed savings." The board packet included two related resolutions: an environmental determination (described by the presenters as a Type II action) and a resolution authorizing the board president to execute the contract with Amaresco; the contract was reported to be with the district's legal team for final review.

Justin Benoit, identified in the presentation as director of project delivery for Energia, said Energia served as the district's third-party advisor through the RFP, audit, design and measurement-and-verification phases. Benoit said Energia helped run the RFP that selected Amaresco and would remain involved through design, SED approval and construction oversight. "The funding source for these projects are guaranteed savings," Benoit said, describing the model in which projected utility reductions pay for the work over time.

Presenters described specific measures the EPC would include: a full LED retrofit (with dimmable fixtures and integrated controls in classrooms), replacement of older pneumatic HVAC controls with open-protocol electronic controls (the presenters referenced a Tritium platform for building automation), upgrades to control scheduling to reduce occupied runtime in underused spaces, and scope items that could include solar arrays where appropriate. An Amaresco representative on the call said roof-mounted solar would be designed to be unobtrusive, saying the panels "won't be an eyesore for the community." The consultants also noted the district would pursue SED (State Education Department) approvals required for design and construction funding concurrence.

Presenters said Amaresco completed a comprehensive audit following the selection process last year and that the next steps, if the board moves forward, would be finalizing design, arranging financing and beginning construction with measurement and verification of the guaranteed savings after project completion. No formal vote on execution of the EPC contract was recorded in the portion of the meeting transcript provided; the consultants said a final contract provision requested by Energia had been added and the document was with the district's legal counsel.

If adopted, the presenters said the project would be coordinated with ongoing capital work and would include post-construction measurement to verify savings stated in the contract. The district will return to the board with any required contract authorization or design approvals in future agenda items.