The Northampton School Committee on Nov. 13 approved three energy projects that the city says will reduce utility costs and cut building emissions.

Climate Action Projects Administration Director Ben Weil told the committee the simplest project is a 180‑kilowatt photovoltaic array proposed for Rhine Road Elementary, to be purchased using the city’s Climate Stabilization Fund. Weil said the array is expected to exceed the school’s annual use, generating roughly $63,000 in net credits a year that can be virtual‑net‑metered to other district accounts.

A second project would place a solar parking canopy at Jackson Street Elementary under a power‑purchase agreement (PPA). Weil said the vendor would own and maintain that canopy; the district would pay for the electricity produced at a rate Weil described as lower than current utility costs. He estimated about $13,000 in annual savings and about $1 million over 25 years.

The largest proposal is a geothermal retrofit at Northampton High School to replace aging chillers and make the campus’ heating and cooling more efficient. Weil described geothermal as a ground‑loop heat‑exchange system with a high coefficient of performance and said the district’s feasibility work shows the high school is technically well suited. The total project cost, before incentives, was presented at more than $13 million; after estimated federal tax credits, Mass Save rebates and other incentives Weil said the net project cost would be “a little over $7 million.” Weil also noted a potential dewatering contingency that consultants priced at roughly $2 million in a worst‑case scenario.

Weil stressed timing: federal investment‑tax‑credit rules require that materials be ordered and a small amount of investment made by certain dates to "safe harbor" incentive eligibility, so contracts need to be signed and some spending begun before year‑end. "The important thing I need to reiterate is that doing nothing is not an option," Weil said, arguing that the district must act before equipment reaches end of life.

Members pressed staff on budget impacts, how net‑metering credits flow through school budgets, and practical construction issues such as parking and noise during drilling. Weil and city consultants described mitigation strategies — for the canopy, vendor responsibility to repair damage; for geothermal, inclined drilling and sound attenuation measures to reduce disruption — and suggested quarterly updates to the Budget & Property subcommittee while projects are implemented.

The committee moved three separate but related motions to permit design, installation, access and vendor agreements for Rhine Road, Jackson Street (including authority for a PPA with Solect Energy Development LLC), and the Northampton High School geothermal work. The motions were made by Member Michael Stein and seconded by Member Davis; the roll‑call vote approved the measures.

Next steps: the city must finalize contracting and financing (the presentation noted use of a mix of Climate Stabilization Fund dollars, short‑ and long‑term bonds, and tax credits) and coordinate construction logistics with school administrators and the superintendent.

Quote: "If we can do something before we’re forced to do something, then we’re always going to make better decisions," Weil said.

The projects will also require subsequent city‑council approvals for bonding and contracts; the school committee vote granted the superintendent authority to permit city vendors reasonable access and to secure necessary agency approvals on the district’s behalf.

Outcome: motions approved; committee directed quarterly implementation updates to Budget & Property.