City of Billings partners with McKinstry on cost-saving energy Improvements
June 2010
Proposed retrofits to City facilities paid for with energy savings
With rising prices and a tough economy, the City of Billings is taking a proactive approach to saving energy and improving energy efficiency.
In March, the City awarded Missoula-based McKinstry a contract to complete a comprehensive, citywide energy audit to identify energy improvements for its facilities.
The audit involves approximately 100 buildings totaling 1.8 million square feet. This energy performance project will help the City fund energy efficiency and related environmental improvements in City facilities and assets throughout the community.
The improvements will be paid for by energy savings guaranteed by McKinstry, through a “performance-based contracting” agreement. The cost savings achieved as a result of the upgrades free up the capital needed to fund the project over time. Any shortfall would then be paid for by McKinstry as part of its guarantee. McKinstry’s contract with the City also includes the design and installation of systems or maintenance programs to conserve energy, such as installation or modification of equipment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, water heating, etc. in City facilities. The company will also monitor and verify energy savings from the project.
Through this contract, Billings moves one step closer to implementing a comprehensive energy services program that will not only decrease energy expenditures and reduce environmental impact of operations throughout the City, but also improve the indoor environments of its facilities.
