The largest geographical school district in Colorado has taken a step toward energy-efficient improvements and is awarding a $14 million dollar contract to a California company to help.
The Pueblo County School District 70, one created with the consolidation of 34 smaller districts in 1950 awarded the contract to Willdan Group Inc.
The company will leverage energy savings from energy-efficiency projects to fund capital improvements. Willdan will lead the design, bidding, construction management and commission to upgrade controls and equipment at 23 buildings including 19 K-12 schools.
The improvements are expected to deliver $600,000 a year in energy savings. And the contract is expected to result in development of a 15-year master plan.
“A lot of school districts unfortunately defer facility costs as long as possible, resulting in expensive emergency replacements or repairs that could have been avoided with planning and long-term budgeting,” said Tom Brisbin, Willdan’s CEO. “Pueblo School District, however, has been very proactive by planning for future maintenance and energy resources.”
Willdan will coordinate with the Colorado Energy Office, which provides direction for the Energy Performance Contracting Program and general oversight on projects and energy savings measurements in Colorado.