Final Phase of Energy Savings Upgrades for PGCPS Begin in August

Pepco will implement the fourth phase of the new energy infrastructure in the county's public schools in August.

The work, which began in August 2010, was the final phase of a three-year long energy savings performance contract awarded to the energy company in 2007 by the Prince George's County Public Schools.

The $77 million project is improving the energy efficiency of 103 schools, saving the school system $6.4 million each year, as well as reducing its total energy and water usage by approximately 20 percent and 30 percent.

The final phase will cost $34.9 million.

“Prince George’s County Public Schools is proud to have developed this project with Pepco Energy, and we are excited to mark the implementation of the final phase of the project,” PGCPS Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr. said. “We look forward to many years of providing an energy-efficient environment for our students and employees.”

The final phase includes lighting upgrades, building automation control systems and solutions to manage the schools energy use.

It will also reduce annual emissions by close to 14,800 metric tons, increasing the school system’s total emissions reductions to nearly 20,300 metric tons per year.

The project also included the installation of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, steam trap replacements, energy-efficient transformers, domestic hot water systems and a photovoltaic solar project.
 
“Pepco Energy is pleased to continue our partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools,” Pepco President and CEO John Huffman said.  “This additional project phase reaffirms their commitment to energy-efficient, green practices and establishes the school system as a leading example of environmental stewardship.”

The overall project is scheduled to be complete in 2012.