Schools Sign On For Energy Pilot Program, Again

Third time is the charm for a planned, new energy program at William Annin Middle School. After the Bernards Board of Education chose a pilot program offered by Energy For America in December, the energy company backed out because they thought there was not enough time left in the school year to meet their guaranteed savings number.

Board of Education member Ken Wilke announced on Monday that the district plans to move forward with the program starting at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.

The program is designed to remotely control the heating and cooling systems at William Annin Middle School, with plans to expand to the other school buildings in the district if all goes well.

Energy For America will install or utilize existing computerized detection systems to monitor the building's energy use, with the intention of optimizing efficiency. The school district will not have to hire any additional employees or contractors to work with the new system, which will partner with the school's current maintenance company, Aramark, to do the work.

The original proposal included an estimated savings of $106,000 in the first year and up to $639,000 over the first six years. Energy For America also guaranteed $50,000 savings per year as part of the contract. The cost to the school district was estimated at an initial $1,200 plus $23,000 per year thereafter.

"I am happy to see [Energy For America] signed on. I hope we get this inked right away," said Board member Bill Koch, who worked with former board member Lou Carlucci on the original deal. "I think it's going to cause significant savings."

Wilke also announced that Business Administrator Nick Markarian is working on a new shared services agreement with the township, hoping to further define their relationship dealing with engineering projects and services.

"We're looking at possibly expanding our relationship, including more site work, and maybe some parking lot design at Cedar Hill," Markarian said. "We were advised that we should try to formalize an agreement, so at the end of the day, if we go forward with a major project with them there's no confusion about who does what."