Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Climate topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teton County approves up to $290,000 in energy mitigation funds for Stillson Transit Center solar and upgraded glazing
Summary
The Board approved expenditure of energy mitigation funds up to $290,000 for rooftop solar and higher-performance Alpin window glazing at the Stillson Transit Center. Staff said the county will commit the full EMP amount in case rebates or federal tax credits are delayed or reduced; the EMP balance was reported at about $500,000.
The Teton County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Feb. 4 the use of up to $290,000 in Energy Mitigation Program (EMP) funds for rooftop solar and upgraded Alpin window glazing at the Stillson Transit Center.
Sarah Mann, Director of General Services, said the Stillson Transit Center will be county-owned and leased to the Town of Jackson and that staff requested the full EMP amount in case federal rebates or tax credits are delayed. Eric Kimball, the county’s sustainability coordinator, said the glazing specified in plans would raise window R-value from roughly 3.3 (current code minimum) to about 7.1, roughly doubling insulation performance; designers may pursue still higher performance if feasible.
Commissioner Gardner asked whether the project would install actual solar panels or only wire the roof for future panels; staff confirmed installation is planned. Commissioner Gardner also asked how secure an $81,000 rebate is; Mann said the county is requesting the full amount from EMP so the project can proceed if the rebate does not arrive. Kimball explained that the tax credits are statutory and cannot be turned off except by act of Congress, but awards and administrative timing can be slowed; for completed projects the county would apply after project completion and could expect funds several months later under current timelines.
Heather Overholser, Director of Public Works, said project architects will select glazing appropriate to each facade and that staff have discussed bird-strike deterrents for large panes; if glazing products do not address the issue directly staff will consider added patterns or other mitigation.
Commissioner Probst moved to approve expenditure of EMP funds up to $290,000 for rooftop solar and Alpin window glazing; Commissioner Gardner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
(Ending) Staff said they will track rebate and tax-credit outcomes and report back if funding expectations change.
