Bowling Green, Ky. – Warren County Fiscal Court has awarded a $5.7 million guaranteed energy savings performance contract to Energy Systems Group (ESG), a leading energy services provider, to design and implement a comprehensive scope of energy efficiency and infrastructure improvements in 42 county buildings. These measures will provide significant upgrades to mechanical, controls, and lighting systems while reducing energy usage and operating costs. ESG estimates the project will result in approximately $6.4 million of energy, water, sewer, and operational cost savings over the 18-year contract term.
The project scope includes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades at the Courthouse, Justice Center, Regional Jail, Capitol Arts Center, and the Planning and Zoning offices. Upgrades at the Courthouse also include a new variable refrigerant flow HVAC system and electrical system improvements. ESG will also complete major mechanical, system controls, and life-safety upgrades at the County Regional Jail in addition to significant equipment replacements at the Justice Center and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting retrofits in all county buildings along with LED sports lighting and controls at the primary fields at Basil Griffin Park. Water savings measures and modifications to the utility rate structure will add additional savings to the project. The County also anticipates benefits from additional rebates and utility incentives.
“During the 2019 fiscal year budget process, our County leadership identified energy efficiency as a long-term financial solution that would allow savings from a project like this to be invested into our buildings,” said Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon. “Warren County is committed to making physical and process improvements that maximize our operating efficiency and optimize the use of our natural resources,” Buchanon added. “Our county is in the midst of significant economic investment, and we project continued population growth, so facility upgrades and improvements are an important component of improving our assets and will help Warren County become a more sustainable community.”
“Like in many counties in the United States, there typically aren’t enough surplus capital funds to allow for facility upgrades and repairs to be made immediately, so using an energy savings performance contract allows for savings gained through efficiency to pay for the improvements over time,” said Teresa Barton, ESG Business Development Manager. “ESG is proud to partner with Warren County to implement these infrastructure improvements, and we commend the County for their leadership and commitment to promoting economic growth, modernized infrastructure, and sustainability for the Warren County community.”
Judge-Executive Buchanon and the Fiscal Court requested ESG include local firms as subcontractors to perform the installations scheduled to begin in November 2018 and end in fall 2019.
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