Framingham Signs on with Regional Energy Service Provider

Agreement with Framingham-based Ameresco, Inc. could save town hundreds of thousands in energy costs

FRAMINGHAM – The Town of Framingham has signed an agreement with a Framingham-based energy services company, taking advantage of a regional contract that could save millions of dollars through energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.

Last month, Framingham signed an agreement with Ameresco, Inc. to audit and assess all town-owned facilities to discover all potential opportunities for energy and water conservation and cost savings, as well as renewable energy generation. Framingham will work with Ameresco to choose specific projects from this comprehensive list of energy efficiency and renewable measures. The town will then enter into an energy savings performance contract with Ameresco for these selected projects.

“As a Massachusetts-based company, Ameresco is proud to partner with our local communities throughout the Commonwealth to identify and institute operational efficiencies and energy conservation measures that pay for themselves through the resulting savings and are budget-neutral to the cities and towns where our employees reside,” said David J. Anderson, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. “Working with the Town of Framingham is particularly rewarding since Ameresco is headquartered here.”

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) announced the selection of Ameresco, Inc. last year as the regional Energy Services Company (ESCO) on behalf of 14 cities and towns in Greater Boston, including Framingham.

Energy savings performance contracts guarantee a minimum level of energy savings over the term of the contract effectively allowing a community to pay for facilities improvements out of their existing operating budget. Energy efficiency improvements may include building controls systems, lighting upgrades, infrastructure improvements such as high-efficiency boilers and HVAC systems, rooftop or window replacements, and renewable energy systems such as solar PV.

“It was very gratifying to have utilized the MAPC energy contract initiative to secure an agreement with Ameresco to complete an investment grade energy audit of all Town and School buildings,” said Robert Halpin, Framingham Town Manager. “The findings in this audit will achieve a long standing goal of our Board of Selectmen to identify affordable, achievable projects that will generate sustained energy savings for the Town.”

The other municipalities that participated in MAPC’s regional ESCO procurement are Ashland, Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Framingham, Gloucester, Norwell, Rockport, Sharon, Sherborn, Sudbury, Topsfield and Wayland.

For more information
Contact MAPC Energy Services Coordinator, Helen Aki, at [email protected].

The Regional ESCO procurement was made possible with support from the 2011 District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program, which are state funds distributed among the 13 Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) in Massachusetts. DLTA funds provide technical assistance to cities and towns on regional collaboration, economic development, zoning, and protecting the environment. To learn about MAPC’s proposed energy DLTA projects for the 2012 year, visit mapc.org/clean-energy-dlta. The Barr Foundation also provides support for MAPC’s clean energy work.

About Ameresco
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability 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 63 offices in 34 states and five Canadian provinces. Ameresco has more than 900 employees. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

Amanda Linehan
Communications Manager
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
617-451-2770 ext. 2030
[email protected]

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