Leadership
Utah has enabling legislation that covers Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) for state agencies. Other public market sectors (local units of government and K-12 school districts) may also use the enabling legislation for state agencies as long as they follow the state's procurement code.
The legislation allows for a scope of work that includes all measures that pay for themselves in energy savings and was amended in 2015 to include alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure. Contract terms of up to 20 years are allowable under the state's State Building Energy Efficiency Program.
The statue does not require the energy service company (ESCO) provide an energy savings guarantee.
Utah has a long history of success with ESPC projects, including:
- A 2007 project at the University of Utah that involved $40,618,298 investment in energy efficiency under a 20 year contract.
- In March 2016, Orem became the latest public agency to enter an ESPC when its City Council approved a $6.7 millionproject that calls for 19 specific energy efficiency projects that are estimated to save at least 4.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity and 83,473 therms of natural gas every year. That translates into a savings of up to $893,000 per year. $6.7 million, to be paid from energy savings generated by the installation of the FIMs. Siemens said the city would save at least 4.5 million kilowatt hours of electric energy and 83,473 therms of natural gas every year. It would also reduce maintenance costs. That translates into a savings for the city of between $608,000 and $893,000 per year. $6.7 million, to be paid from energy savings generated by the installation of the FIMs. Siemens said the city would save at least 4.5 million kilowatt hours of electric energy and 83,473 therms of natural gas every year. It would also reduce maintenance costs. That translates into a savings for the city of between $608,000 and $893,000
Program
There are a number of team members who serve in different roles that support the state's ESPC program.
The state program uses a set of standardized instruments for use with ESPC for state facilities. A separate set of instruments are available for use with ESPC for units of local government.
ESC Chapter
Utah re-launched a state ESC Chapter in April, 2016. The original state chapter was one of the founding chapters in the ESC's network of state chapters. The new Chapter meets quarterly and is exploring how it can provide outreach and education to promote ESPC in the state.
The Chapter does not have an awards program to recognize outstanding projects.