Saving Energy (And Money) In State And Municipal Buildings

In July 2012, the departments of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and Administrative Services (DAS) submitted their report to the legislature on the Lead by Example program. The program is designed to help Connecticut reduce energy use in state facilities by 10% by January 1, 2013 and provide support for municipalities to achieve energy reductions in their buildings. The program is supported by a partnership between DEEP, DAS, the Department of Construction Services, Office of Policy and Management, Board of Regents, Office of the Treasurer, Attorney General’s Office, and the program administrators of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund; no funds are available for outside consultants.

Under the program, $8.3 million in bonding has been committed to 37 energy efficiency projects across the state, with an average payback of 5.45 years. An estimated 75% of these projects, plus additional projects the program funds in the coming months, will be completed by January 2013. These projects will achieve energy reductions that are the annual equivalent of 358,700 fewer gallons of gasoline, 3.5 million pounds of coals, and 322,900 fewer gallons of home heating oil used.

Among other things, the report also describes progress in energy performance contracting, which enables state agencies and municipalities to implement multi-million dollar retrofit projects that are paid through future energy savings and structured to require no upfront capital investment.