BSD energy update: several buildings meet Energy Star thresholds; Fountain Hill remediation continues

Facilities staff provided the facilities committee with an annual energy update and a construction status report for Fountain Hill Elementary.

The energy briefing explained the district’s benchmarking approach using Energy Star Portfolio Manager and site EUI (kBtu per square foot). Staff reported that seven of the district’s eligible buildings currently meet Energy Star thresholds. They also noted the district actively manages summer peak load reductions, which staff estimated could save roughly $130,000 in the coming summer period. The district operates five solar arrays (1.6 MW combined) that provided about 7–10% of the district’s electricity last year; staff said inverter repairs have returned arrays to full production.

On Fountain Hill, the construction update said crews are installing shoring and preparing a retaining wall on Moravia Street. Staff reported removal of soil classified as residual waste containing arsenic — roughly 3,000 cubic yards removed to date (about 136 truckloads), with a projected total removal target of roughly 20,000–25,000 cubic yards over the course of site work. Remediation and stormwater work are ongoing and will continue through the winter preparation window.

Committee members asked technical questions about how transportation and garage loads are handled in benchmarking and requested corrected slides after staff discovered and corrected a spreadsheet error in the meeting presentation.