Ameresco Completes Installation of Comprehensive Conservation Measures at Western State College of Colorado

Various energy efficiency initiatives and water saving technologies will enable the college to significantly reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs

Framingham, MA — November  10, 2011 — Ameresco, Inc.  (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today announced the completion of construction of energy efficiency upgrades to Western State College of Colorado.  Under the support of the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, Ameresco was awarded an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with the College, located in Gunnison, Colorado.  As part of the ESPC, Ameresco implemented various energy and water saving measures and assisted in arranging the project’s financing so that the College can enjoy immediate cost savings without the burden of up-front capital investment.

An ESPC is a budget-neutral way to reduce energy use and associated costs, and renew facilities and building systems without burdening shrinking capital budgets.  Ameresco will guarantee a minimum level of energy savings over the term of the contract that will exceed the cash requirements for the project, offsetting the overall costs.

“Western State College selected Ameresco as its energy partner because of their extensive track record in educational facilities, their holistic and comprehensive approach to facility upgrades and renewal, and their strong record in meeting and exceeding performance guarantees,” said Julie Feier, Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration, Western State College of Colorado.  “Over the past five years, Western State has undergone a historic makeover and Ameresco played a significant role as our partner in the revitalization of our campus by developing and managing $1.5 million in energy retrofits and infrastructure renewal upgrades.”

Construction on the project began in 2010 and included an energy management system upgrade, retro-commissioning of buildings, carbon dioxide sensors for ventilation control, air handling unit retrofits, water conservation, window replacements, lighting retrofits, and lighting controls.  Ameresco was responsible for all facility energy management control work, which enabled the company to re-commission the existing control systems.

“The Gunnison area experiences some of the coldest winters in the United States given its location in the Rocky Mountains where cold air imposes high demands on the campus energy and water infrastructure,” said David J. Anderson, Executive Vice President of Ameresco.  “Despite cold weather and difficult construction environments, our team was able to mobilize quickly and implement the project without interrupting day-to-day campus activities.  Western State College is expected to save nearly $147,000 in annual energy costs, while lowering the College’s CO2 emissions and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.”

Ameresco has worked with higher education institutions across North America to implement energy infrastructure upgrades designed to stabilize and reduce ongoing utility costs.  As part of its budget-neutral ESPC model, Ameresco can modernize a single facility or provide comprehensive campus-wide energy management systems, built from best-in-class energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions, financed entirely with future savings from campus energy conservation.

About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco’s services include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants.  Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers.  With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco provides local expertise through its 59 offices in 34 states and five Canadian provinces. Ameresco has more than 850 employees.  For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

About Western State College of Colorado
Founded in 1901, Western State College of Colorado is a public, liberal arts college located in one of the most beautiful valleys in Colorado. The college’s enrollment is 2300 students taught by 120 faculty members. Western offers 22 undergraduate majors in the liberal arts and sciences and professional areas, and two graduate programs.