N.B. schools could save $500,000 per year
Management company promises yearly reduction of energy costs
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The township school district could save over $500,000 in energy costs if it signs a contract with Energy Education Inc.

The management specialty company, based out of Dallas, made a presentation to the Board of Education on Feb. 20 regarding ways to be "fiscally responsible and educationally effective" by using small steps to reduce wasted energy, according to Michael Bitar, a representative of the company.

Bitar said the company focuses on the behavioral aspects of energy education and evaluates existing equipment within the district's facilities. He said they "do basic little things that won't excite anyone" such as monitoring timers and reducing the time food cookers are heated. He said this is "not about sacrifice and discomfort" but instead "looking at every single opportunity when you don't have to have maximum comfort."

Bitar said over the course of 10 years, a savings of $7 million is projected based on the actual costs in the district last year. He said during the first year, North Brunswick's consumption reduction rate is expected to be 24 percent, or $520,000, through reductions in heating, lighting, cooling, and water and sewage systems. The base would be adjusted if rooms are added or expanded, or closed down.

Bitar said there is no capital investment because new equipment is not required, but the fee would be $20,700 per month to the company for the first four years, which includes almost weekly visits by energy experts, an individual plan for every facility and the implementation of an energy educator manager.

Bitar also said tracking software would have to be purchased from a third-party vendor. There is a purchasing fee of $12,000 and an annual fee of $1,200; the first year includes the annual fee.

Bitar said as long as the district continues the energy manager position, which would become an employee of the district, continues to send data and agrees to not have scheduled visits, "there will never be a fee after four years." He also guaranteed that "if you don't save what you invest over 12 months, we write you a check for a difference," stating that not once has the company needed to do that.

He said this is a simple solution since energy is the second-highest expenditure outside of personnel salary and benefits, and because the payment to Energy Education is not "new dollars" but instead money already being given to utility companies.

"This sounds good. It doesn't sound like a lot of risk," said board member Jim Curran, the chairman of the Facilities Committee. He said the committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Ed. to accept the proposal.

Bitar said his company has had East Brunswick as a client for seven years and New Brunswick for two years. With 47 states utilizing their service in 400 districts over 20 years, Bitar said this is a win-win situation.

Schools Superintendent Brian Zychowski said he has spoken to other districts that have utilized the firm and they have said the program is as good as it appears to be.

"If certainly there is a way to save money by doing things more efficiently and more effectively, that warrants our attention," Zychowski said.