Snyder Electric presents energy-savings performance contract; committee to bring proposal to full board
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Summary
Snyder Electric presented an energy-savings performance contracting (ESPC) proposal that would finance district-wide infrastructure upgrades using guaranteed utility savings; the construction committee agreed to add the ESPC item to the February full board meeting for further consideration and potential RFQ steps.
Snyder Electric representatives presented an energy-savings performance contract (ESPC) model to the Robeson County Schools construction committee, describing a financing structure that uses guaranteed utility savings to fund lighting, water, HVAC, building automation and potentially solar projects across district facilities.
"We can guarantee that you're gonna save a minimum of 25% off those utility bills," Lisa Watkins of Snyder Electric said while presenting a business case the company prepared earlier. Watkins described a turnkey, fixed-price approach overseen by a required third-party owner's representative and noted the statutory authority cited in the meeting (identified in the transcript as General Statute 143‑64.17) that allows North Carolina school districts to use this procurement mechanism.
Committee members asked whether every school would be included, how Snyder would be paid, and whether there is any upfront cost to investigate. Watkins responded that the initial study and proposal process have no fee until the district commissions an investment-grade audit; Snyder and other ESCO vendors are paid from financed proceeds during construction. Members emphasized lighting as a priority for rapid savings and identified water-system improvements as a secondary priority.
Watkins listed approved ESCO vendors in North Carolina (including Snyder, Johnson Controls, CMTA, Piedmont Services, Trane, Brady and Siemens) and gave examples of districts and institutions that have used ESPCs. She said the district would need to select an owner's representative, go through a proposal/RFQ process overseen by the state energy office and North Carolina Treasury, and expect a realistic timeline of roughly eight months from advertising to a signed contract if the district moves quickly.
Following the presentation, a committee member moved to add the ESPC discussion to the full board agenda for February so Snyder can present and the district can consider RFQ/owner's-rep steps; the committee agreed to do so. The transcript does not record a formal committee vote tally on the referral; staff said legal review and RFQ work would follow.