RCPS explores 'performance contracting'

On Aug. 12, the School Board approved a long-range Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that contained all the "high cost" energy-saving recommendations made by the 2005 Savings Through Energy Management (STEM) audit.

A STEM expert trained RCPS teachers Beth Gall, Ron Vickers and five students to conduct the audit.

Architect John Mather added several items to the CIP in May 2008. Samples of some of the items in the CIP and their estimated annual "avoided energy costs are:

Mather Architects' recommendation- Replace all 1960s-era pneumatic heating system controls with digital controls - $50,000;

STEM recommendation- Replace all single pane windows with new "Kalwall" window wall (including energy-efficient double pane windows) system - $40,000;

STEM recommendation - Replace the 75 incandescent lights in RCHS hallways and classrooms with new electronic ballast fluorescent fixtures; and Mather Architects' recommendation to remove asbestos ceiling and install new ACT ceilings in hallway and classrooms -$4,500;

Note: The state has told us that modern insulation is more energy-efficient than asbestos. Per the recommendation by our licensed asbestos inspector, the asbestos on ceilings is being protected from damage. We have protected it from damage by: a) periodic encapsulation with paint (latest painting July 2008); and b) re-roofing projects conducted in the 1990s to prevent damage from rain water;

STEM recommendation – Install solar panels to generate domestic hot water - $ 3,000.

A representative of the Virginia Department of Energy met with school officials and estimated the RCPS could save anywhere from 15-35 percent in electricity and fuel oil bills and suggested the RCPS consider the State’s regulated "Performance Contracting" process to achieve energy upgrades to RCPS facilities. The State’s Energy Department representative, Charlie Barksdale, said: "If you use the Performance Contracting process to make your facilities more energy efficient, an Energy Service Company (ESCO) could guarantee you savings on your electricity and fuel oil bills. Those guaranteed savings or ‘Avoided Energy Costs’ would be used to make the annual loan payments to pay for the upgrades. If the actual savings are less than the ‘guaranteed savings,’ the ESCO has to write you a check for the difference. ESCOs wrote several checks to Virginia localities last year."

On Aug. 12 the School Board voted to invite several ESCOS from the State contract list to provide free energy audits this fall.

In September the board will ask the Board of Supervisors to consider financing a Performance Contract with an ESCO to do the energy upgrades with a Virginia Resources Authority low-interest loan (typically 12-15 year loan, but can be 20 years). Again, the loan is paid off with the energy savings guaranteed by the ESCO and does NOT require additional local funding. If we don't save as much as anticipated, the ESCO writes us a check for the difference. A selection committee of the School Board may select one ESCO to do an in-depth energy audit in the spring. The board could sign a contract to begin the energy upgrades as early as next summer.

Special Services Director Mike Tupper convinced Supt. Bob Chappell that allowing Head-Start to use a classroom at RCES was best for both RCPS and Head-Start children. Principal Carol Johnson agreed to make one of the primary wing classrooms available, so Chappell proceeded to negotiate a contract with Head-Start to make it possible for up to 18 Rappahannock resident pre-school children to go to RCES. The School Board approved the contract on Aug. 12. "We said to the Head-Start people, ‘Instead of Head-Start paying for a bus driver, fuel, and maintenance on a bus, we’ll agree to transport your kids on our existing routes if you’ll transfer ownership of your bus to the RCPS.’ "

The 16-passenger bus will be used to save fuel costs for field trips and athletic trips for groups too big for a car and not big enough to warrant a 64-passenger bus. The bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift and will be used as a back-up for the existing wheelchair lift bus, according to Chappell. "We’ll be able to sell our 1990-vintage wheelchair lift bus and the companion 1990 bus kept for parts," said Chappell. "This is a very good deal for us, Rappahannock taxpayers, and especially for the children."