Sturgis-Coldwater News

The Three Rivers, Michigan, school district says it has been committed to responsible energy usage for almost 30 years. It focuses on conserving natural resources, promoting energy efficiency, all while providing a safe learning environment and responsibly using district resources and funds. 

At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Three Rivers Community Schools' Board heard from Matt Earl of TRANE, a local energy savings performance contractor in the state. TRANE has been working with the district since before 2009 when it helped Three Rivers with energy performance improvements and financial savings.

“These are guaranteed savings that require an audit function that would require the energy savings or the energy savings company trying to repay any shortfalls of a project,” Earl said. "If we did a project, we guarantee that you're going to save X amount of dollars. If the district doesn't see those benefits through their audit process, TRANE is required to make up the difference.”

Earl presented the option of performance contracting, a budget-neutral process where TRANE guarantees that any improvements will generate energy savings or energy cost savings over the duration of the improvement project. 

With TRANE's guarantees, the projects produce a net even for the district. The projects involve improvements with water, lighting, mechanical upgrades, utility rates, and equipment upgrades. Sometimes the improvements can generate an additional cash flow for the district that they can use for other needs.

TRANE has proposed some options for performance contracting by working with the facilities' director. It could replace much of the equipment and facilities of the 26-year-old high school, as they are reaching the end of their useful life.

Many of the boilers and chillers in the district could be upgraded as well as lighting improvements.  

The board could make a decision in the next few months after TRANE provided, roughly, a two-month window.