Memorandum of Agreement with CCSNH

The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) consists of seven independent colleges on 13 campuses throughout the state. Ten percent of state owned buildings are on these campuses. A grant to the Community College System of New Hampshire will improve the energy efficiency of targeted buildings reducing energy use and generating clean energy. These upgrades and investments will showcase the technologies to the communities where they are based, and provide a learning opportunity for students.

The primary goal for this program is to expand energy efficiency projects at the Community College System. These projects will save energy, save money and emissions, while creating and retaining jobs at the campuses as well as in private companies undertaking the upgrades.

Of the total program, $1.3M will be granted to the Community College System of New Hampshire. Working with OEP’s guidance, CCSNH will determine the highest priority projects that meet the goals of the program. The CCSNH Director of Capital Projects and Capital Planning is now prioritizing projects based on geographic location, cost, maximum impact, and need in order to determine which campuses and projects will receive funding. The final list can be submitted once complete.

The CCSNH is part of the State system; this funding will be provided directly from OEP to the CCSNH for these upgrades. CCSNH is looking at each of its campuses for the most appropriate projects for this funding. OEP will monitor the projects in the field and through phone and e-mail correspondence.

Under Governor John Lynch’s Executive Order 2005-4, Lead by Example in Energy Efficiency, the Department of Administrative Services tracks State of NH energy usage and reports quarterly. This reporting system will serve the ARRA-funded projects, as departments and agencies will record and monitor energy and cost savings.

As stated in OEP’s Comprehensive Application of May 12, 2009, OEP does not anticipate these programs or projects to negatively affect the environment. However, if any of the proposed projects potentially impact the environment, a DOE EF1 will be submitted. In each Request for Proposals or Memoranda of Agreement, OEP will include statements about NEPA compliance and reporting. Similarly, Davis Bacon, Historic Preservation, Buy American, reporting requirements, and other important factors will be included in the RFPs.

Press releases and signage about ARRA-funded projects will be consistently used for all programs and projects, including those at the CCSNH facilities. Furthermore, OEP will be incorporating these energy saving success stories into the presentations OEP staff regularly are asked to perform. Expected energy savings will also be promoted to the media, students, faculty, staff, and communities through Web sites, media, and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

The CCSNH Director for Capital Projects and Capital Planning has been meeting with vendors of possible RE systems. However, he has determined that energy efficiency projects meet the goals of the program and the needs of the System and are “shovel ready.” The College System is considering photovoltaics, biomass, wind, and green/living roofs for its many campuses, but because of the challenges of time and the engineering, the College System will be focusing on the most pressing needs that result in immediate energy savings.

To Be Awarded: $1,300,000.00 Overall Program Total: $1,311,018.18

For more information about this program, contact Laura Richardson. (271-6092)