District 13 tackles climate change with solar contract

The Valley Stream UFSD 13 touted in their Winter 2021 newsletter energy cost savings after entering into an energy performance contract with Honeywell Building Solutions back in January of 2017. The district decided to enter the contract to counterbalance the negative effects of climate change and reduce the district’s overall energy budget, in addition to assisting with any economic challenges in the future.

According to a report provided by Honeywell, the district’s estimated energy cost savings for the first year period is $275,246, which equates to a savings increase of 28.26 percent. Finances are not the only benefit from switching to solar, according to Dr. Constance Evelyn, superintendent of District 13, but there are “untold benefits” for the environment.

“We’re huge proponents of reducing our carbon footprint,” Evelyn said. “Our District’s commitment to energy conservation focuses not only on energy cost savings for the taxpayer but also on integrating sustainability into student learning for future generations.”

This energy performance contract allowed the district to obtain the latest energy-saving technology without having to frontload or bond the costs of those energy-saving systems, according to school officials. The district’s payment plan for the installed system is set at 15 years. However, these devices put into place have a lifespan that stretches beyond the 15-year payment window. When the plan is over, district 13 will begin to capture significant energy savings and generate additional positive cash flow, according to officials.