Michigan Agency for Energy/Michigan Public Service Commission and Saginaw Plaza Receive the 2015 Energy Services Coalition, MI Chapter Award for Economic Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
ESPC project with Ameresco honored for energy efficiency
improvements, long-term infrastructure upgrades, and unique financing
structure.
Ameresco,
Inc., (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy
efficiency and renewable
energy company, announced today that the Michigan Agency for
Energy/Michigan Public Service Commission (MAE/MPSC) were awarded the
2015 Energy Services Coalition (ESC) Award for Economic Leadership in
Energy Efficiency.
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(L to R) John Quackenbush, Chairman, Michigan Public Service Commission; Diane Mills, Sr. Account Executive, Ameresco; Robert G. Ozar P.E., Assistant Director, Electric Reliability Division, Michigan Public Service Commission (Photo: Business Wire)
MAE/MPSC and Saginaw Plaza were recognized by the Michigan Chapter of
the MI ESC during an awards ceremony on November 4, 2015 at the MAE/MPSC
Offices located in Lansing, MI. Valerie Brader, executive director of
Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE), keynoted the ceremonial event while
John Quackenbush, chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission
accepted the award on behalf of MAE/MPSC and Saginaw Plaza.
“MAE/MPSC is honored to be recognized by the MI ESC and to receive this
sustainability leadership award,” said Valerie Brader. “We are committed
to energy waste reduction and we appreciate Saginaw Plaza’s involvement
in upgrading our facility in support of our sustainability initiatives.
Energy efficiency and conservation are the first and easiest steps in
ensuring affordable, reliable energy for the state’s taxpayers and
ratepayers. Our ongoing partnership with Ameresco has allowed us to
effectively upgrade our facilities in the most efficient,
environmentally responsible, and economically prudent way.”
“Ameresco congratulates MAE/MPSC for being recognized with this award,”
said Louis P. Maltezos, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. “We commend
the Michigan Agency for Energy and the Michigan Public Service
Commission for their leadership and collaboration to institute energy
efficiency and renewable energy improvements to reduce carbon footprint
without additional tax dollars.”
Under the $437,000 Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with
Ameresco, Saginaw Plaza, LTD. has upgraded their Lansing, MI facility.
It is currently leased to the State and houses the Michigan Agency for
Energy and the Michigan Public Service Commission; which is the
regulatory agency for energy in the state. MAE/MPSC worked closely with
the property owner, Saginaw Plaza, and Ameresco to achieve facility
improvements given MAE/MPSC is Saginaw Plaza’s long-term tenant. The
major upgrades are expected to result in more than $25,000 in annual
energy and maintenance savings.
The recently completed ESPC included energy efficiency upgrades and
infrastructure improvements such as interior and exterior LED lighting,
an energy kiosk, and a new pole-mounted 20kw solar array. Additional
energy conservation measures were identified and installed as a result
of Ameresco’s energy audit including a new roof, more energy efficient
insulation, two electric vehicle charging stations, weatherization and
programmable LED simulated skylights.
MAE/MPSC, the first state energy agencies in the U.S. to implement
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) funding for energy efficiency and
renewable energy, afforded the opportunity for the facility owner to
obtain 20-year, fixed-rate financing for the clean energy measures. This
public-private partnership for the efficiency improvements utilized
Michigan's PACE statute. PACE is a simple and effective way to finance
energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation upgrades.
PACE can pay for new heating and cooling systems, lighting improvements,
solar panels, water pumps, insulation, and more for almost any
commercial, industrial, non-profit, and agricultural property. Property
owners use PACE because it saves them money and helps make their
buildings more valuable. PACE financing pays for 100% of a project’s
costs and is repaid for up to 20 years. PACE financing stays with the
building with an assessment added to the property’s tax bill upon sale.
Local governments sponsor PACE financing to create jobs, promote
economic development, and protect the environment.
Annual energy savings are expected to exceed $25,000, and the savings
due to reduced energy consumption exceed the cost of repaying the loan.
In addition, Saginaw Plaza is able to take advantage of the tax credits.
The annual emissions reduction from this project is expected to be
approximately 157 metric tons of CO2. It is the equivalent of
taking 33.1 passenger cars off the road; or the carbon sequestered by
129 acres of U.S. forests in one year or 4,026 tree seedlings grown for
10 years.
About Michigan Agency for Energy
The Michigan Agency for
Energy (MAE), coordinates analyzes, advises on and advocates for the
state’s policies, programs and proposals related to energy. MAE also
provides energy related information and assistance to state departments
and agencies. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/energy.
About Michigan Public Service Commission
The Michigan Public
Service Commission (MPSC) administers policies and regulations to ensure
that energy and communications services are provided in an efficient,
reliable, and safe manner to adequately meet the needs of Michigan
residents. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc.
About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc.
(NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services,
energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and
renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations throughout
North America and Europe. Ameresco’s sustainability services include
upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development,
construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has
successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible
projects with Federal, state and local governments, healthcare and
educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and
industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA,
Ameresco has more than 1,000 employees providing local expertise in the
United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information,
visit www.ameresco.com.
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