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Home > Energy Efficiency Report > Energy Efficiency Report - 2003 > Report On 9 Items Agreed To In 2002

Report On 9 Items Agreed To In 2002

1. Status of ESCO pilot projects:

In accordance with 5 MRSA  Section 1770 (5), BGS has conducted multiple meetings with Combined Energies of Augusta, to develop and define the first phase of the pilot program.  Combined Energies is now conducting a survey of four buildings on the East Campus to determine energy savings opportunities.  They will be inspecting all building systems including envelope, lighting, mechanical systems, insulation, etc.  

Once a scope has been determined and the financial feasibility confirmed, a performance based contract will be negotiated to design the project and to do the work.

2. Number and description of ESCO's that responded to RFP's:

A request for proposals was advertised in the Kennebec Journal, the Lewiston Sun Journal, the Bangor Daily News, and the Portland Press Herald during the two week period beginning June 9th, 2002 .  Seven firms responded to the advertisement:

    1. Combined Energies -   Augusta , ME

    2. Noresco - Westborough , MA

    3. Honeywell Energy Services  - Westbrook , ME

    4. Ameresco, Inc. - Portland , ME

    5. Select Energy Services - Natick , MA

    6. Shooshanian Engineering - Boston , MA

    7. Investment Engineering - Falmouth , ME  

The three most qualified companies: Combined Energies, Noresco, and Honeywell were interviewed on 10/3/02 .  All three companies were pre-qualified to do work for the state.  

3. Description of contracts that have been entered into with ESCO's:

No contracts have been executed. When the scope and feasibility referenced in section 1, above, have been confirmed, a contract will be executed.

Combined Energies has submitted a proposal to BGS for consideration for short-term payback energy savings measures for state facilities state wide.  The proposal includes measures for reducing electrical power in egress lighting and vending machines.

4. Status of rules:

Rules have not yet been adopted, although general forms have been collected from other states. BGS has entered into a contract with a consultant to assist in the rulemaking effort.

5. State facility energy usage:

A summary of square foot energy costs is attached. It shows costs of: $0.45 for #6 fuel at the East Campus; $0.52 per square foot for #2 fuel at other facilities in Augusta and Hallowell; $0.84 per square foot for electrical service at the East Campus; $1.02 per square foot for electrical service at the Capital Complex (West Campus); $1.33 per square foot for electrical service at the Stevens School, Hallowell; $0.50 per square foot for #2 fuel at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy; and $0.46 for electrical service at the MCJA.

6. Status of construction renovation and construction projects:

Data on completed projects is listed on the first page of this report.

Current ongoing capital projects include the Harlow Building renovations on the East Campus and the Middle School at the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf. Both projects have as their top priorities employee health and safety, and energy conservation. Contracts with architects on both projects specify these as priorities. The Harlow Building will include such energy conservation measures as are consistent with renovation of a mid-1800 historic structure lying within a historic district.

The GBSD Middle School will include innovative energy solutions. Those that are being investigated are: biodiesel fuel; solar power; geothermal and possibly ocean thermal; and wind-generated power.

7. Energy savings from renovation and construction projects:

Cross Office Building data on page 2 of this Report is representative of our experience with renovated buildings. Energy usage will increase when air conditioning is added. We are developing baseline energy usage for all the State's new and renovated facilities and from that baseline we will develop benchmarks against which we will measure our performance and determine how our energy consumption may be reduced.

As to the remaining State facilities, BGS is working with the Public Utilities Commission to review the State property list and eliminate those facilities that either do not consume electricity or other power or energy sources, or that consume negligible amounts. When a list of energy consuming facilities is developed, those facilities will be audited by a consultant procured by BGS. It is our hope that the PUC will fund the energy audit. The audit will be closely coordinated with the PUC.

8. Status of Clean Government Initiative:

The Initiative is to become part of the philosophy of state government and the integration process will be ongoing. The team, in its development of a state environmental plan, focused on major goals it elected to accomplish in this first phase. Four priority areas were identified and are detailed below:

•  environmental compliance
•  energy efficiency, in terms of both vehicles and buildings
•  recycling/recyclability/product substitution/waste management
•  chemicals handling/product substitution/waste management

These four areas were selected based on the belief that they provide opportunity for the greatest gains in this first effort. Additionally, DAFS, in its central service role of building construction and management, procurement, waste handling, and other functions, has largely taken responsibility for these areas rather than require agencies to address them individually. The DEP provides technical and other assistance to DAFS and both agencies ensure compliance with the capital master plan.

For each of the priority areas, suggested metrics were developed to assist agencies in choosing a method of measurement through which the most useful and meaningful information could be obtained. The goals, objectives and measurement metrics are available on the State's web site and will be detailed in the Initiatives annual report to be delivered soon to the Legislature.

Again, in recognition of the need for central responsibility for certain priority areas, the team has organized user's groups to address the areas of fleet vehicles and leased space. A fleet vehicles managers group is comprised of representatives of DAFS Central Fleet Management, the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Department of Public Safety. This group engages the managers of these fleets in discussion of ways in which to improve vehicle energy efficiency through vehicle selection and management, as well as in ways to better manage the overall state fleet of vehicles.

A leased space users group, composed of several agencies which lease a high volume of space from private entities, has also been formed. Specifically, the group has worked to strengthen and standardize the environmental considerations of the uniform lease agreement to address such areas as recycling, waste disposal, lighting, heating, cooling, and temperature control, and other issues. Customization for additional needs may be necessary. The DAFS Bureau of General Services is now incorporating these requirements in new and renewal leases for space. A copy is appended to this report.

The leadership team welcomes, as well as solicits input from all agencies, periodically evaluates its direction and accomplishments, considers input received from participating agencies and other sources, and identifies opportunities for improvement. The team will benchmark and measure effectiveness at least annually.

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