Hampton Bays board advances energy performance plan citing $17 million savings potential
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Summary
The Board discussed an Energy Performance Contract from Energy Systems Group to fund $13.4 million in district facility upgrades — LED lighting, solar, HVAC and roof recoating — paid from utility savings and incentives and projected to save roughly $17 million over 18 years. The EPC was listed on the consent agenda and included in tonight’s approvals.
The Hampton Bays Union Free School District Board of Education on Nov. 18 heard a presentation on an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) from Energy Systems Group that would fund upgrades to the district office, high school, middle school and elementary school using utility-cost savings and available incentives.
Mike Ryan of Energy Systems Group told the board the proposed package would fund about $13,400,000 in improvements — including LED lighting, solar installations, HVAC and temperature-control upgrades, boiler and kitchen-hood controllers, retro-commissioning of systems and a recoating of the middle-school roof — while generating an estimated $17,000,000 in utility savings over the next 18 years. "This project that we're proposing tonight will save the district over $17,000,000 in the next 18 years," Ryan said.
Ryan and board members discussed financing details and incentives: the project includes roughly $70,000 in utility rebates and about $2,200,000 in federal incentives tied to district ownership of the solar arrays. Board members and presenters emphasized that owning the solar system preserves federal incentives and that leasing would forfeit that $2,200,000 incentive.
The presentation also covered logistics: roof recoating (not a full tear-off), which presenters said would extend the roof warranty by about 20 years; a planned review by architects and submission to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for approval if the board moves forward; and a construction timeline targeting a summer start with 16–18 months of work, with disruptive tasks scheduled during school vacations or nights.
Board members pressed on scope questions. They were told the EPC does not include installing additional classroom air-conditioning units districtwide; rather, AC work remains part of a separate bond-discussion plan for 2027 that could add units in some buildings. The presenters described an educational component of the project that would offer career-exploration opportunities for students to learn about engineering and construction during design and implementation.
The EPC awarding resolution to Energy Systems Group appeared on the meeting’s agenda and was included in the consent items taken up and approved during the meeting.
Next steps described by presenters include advancing to design with architects (BBS Architects named as design partner), preparing NYSED submissions and seeking final approvals required to begin construction in the planned window.