The Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) will save more than $45 million over the next 15 years in energy and operational costs through a program designed and being implemented by Energy Systems Group.

"ESG is an important component of a system-wide strategy to improve the condition of all our school buildings. Baltimore is among the first big city school systems in the country to implement energy performance in every school in our system," said J. Keith Scroggins, interim COO of the Baltimore City Public School System.

Under ESG's energy savings performance contract, energy and operational savings finance the improvements at BCPSS over time. This "paid from savings" approach creates a self-funding program that is financially guaranteed to perform by ESG and allows BCPSS to obtain needed facility renovations without spending additional budget dollars or seeking new money through tax increases.

ESG is installing multiple facility improvements at 32 BCPSS school buildings, including new digital control system upgrades to effectively manage heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; new energy-efficient lighting systems to reduce costs and improve visibility for students and staff; and water conservation improvements to reduce water use and costs while helping the schools become community leaders in energy and environmental stewardship. Six schools will have new boiler systems installed and three others will receive complete HVAC system upgrades.

The $20 million project is scheduled to complete within 18 months and will create comfortable working and learning environments while minimizing any impact to students' learning and school operations during this period.

Under the leadership of Mayor Martin O'Malley, the Department of Public Works' Energy Conservation Office (ECO) has worked closely with BCPSS in developing a comprehensive energy conservation program and this project is a major part of this ongoing effort.

Jim Adams, President of ESG, noted, "This is our second partnership with the community of Baltimore and we are proud to be able to improve the working and learning environment for students and staff while helping to save money that was once spent on energy costs."

As a unique feature of this partnership, ESG will provide "economy of scale" benefits to BCPSS by combining construction with operational maintenance; ESG energy experts will perform on-site maintenance services at all 32 facilities for the next 15 years, helping to keep costs predictable. ESG will also assist the BCPSS by identifying and addressing additional energy savings opportunities while supporting the staff's efforts to promote energy conservation and awareness throughout the school system.

Energy Systems Group is an award-winning energy solutions and performance contracting company improving energy efficiency and delighting clients through offices in Evansville, Baltimore, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, Clearwater, Raleigh, Nashville, Louisville and Richmond. To learn more about Energy Systems Group, visit us at www.energysystemsgroup.com. ESG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vectren Corporation.

Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, IN. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than one million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the Midwest and Southeast. These include gas marketing and related services; coal production and sales; and energy infrastructure services. To learn more about Vectren, visit www.vectren.com.

For further information contact: Norm Campbell Energy Systems Group 812-471-5000

SOURCE: Energy Systems Group

Source: marketwire