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New Milford says $15 million energy-efficiency program met first-year savings target
Summary
Town and Board of Education officials said the joint $15 million energy-efficiency project — including solar panels, new boilers and a high-school co-generation plant — produced first-year savings above the contractor's guaranteed estimate and includes Eversource demand-reduction incentives.
New Milford officials reported that a multiyear energy-efficiency program with the Board of Education met and slightly exceeded its contractor-guaranteed savings in its first year.
Jack Healy, the town's director of public works, told the Town Council that audits conducted by NV5 show the project, which includes solar-panel installations, upgraded boilers and a co-generation system at the high school, produced $639,000 in guaranteed savings in its first year compared with an expected $623,603. "The first year of the contract the town saved $639,000 and was expected to save $623,603," Healy said.
The program, entered into by the Town and Board of Education, is structured to realize approximately $15 million in savings over time through a combination of energy conservation measures, equipment upgrades and on-site generation. Healy said the town also obtained incentives from Eversource that require reducing peak demand throughout the year.
Healy described several measures installed across municipal and school buildings: high-efficiency HVAC equipment, upgraded lighting, added insulation in some structures, low-flow toilets for water savings, and a co-generation plant that produces electricity for the high school. He identified ESG as the contractor engaged for project development and NV5 as the firm that performed verification audits.
Mayor Pete Bass said the upgrades were especially helpful during recovery operations after Blizzard Calvin, noting that the recently reopened Sand Road Bridge was useful in cleanup efforts.
There was no formal action taken at the meeting on the energy project; council discussion focused on reported savings and ongoing implementation. The council did not vote on new funding or contract changes during the session.
