Seattle Central Community College Partners with Ameresco Quantum to Increase Energy Efficiency and Reduce Costs

Project will improve energy efficiency and enhance learning environments at several SCCC campus buildings

Framingham, MA and Seattle, WA – February 16, 2011 – Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, announced today that its business unit in the Pacific Northwest, Ameresco Quantum, Inc., has undertaken an energy savings performance contract with the Seattle Central Community College (SCCC) that will increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and provide environmental benefits.

“This project reflects our institutional commitment to sustainability,” says Dr. Paul T. Killpatrick, President of Seattle Central. “It’s a smart fiscal investment that will reap benefits for years to come.”

“We are very proud of our partnership with Seattle Central Community College,” said Mike O’Connor, Vice President, Northwest Region for Ameresco. “Not only does this project provide significant reductions in energy and maintenance costs, it also replaces failing equipment, including important building control systems.

Upon completion, the project is expected provide over $199,693 in annual energy, water and maintenance related savings that are guaranteed by Ameresco.  In addition to building improvements and energy savings, the project will have a positive impact on the environment with expected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of more than 1,306,099 lbs of CO2 annually.

Financial support for the $4.7 million project includes a $2 million grant from the Washington Department of Commerce under the 2010 Jobs Act.  The legislation provided $100 million for energy and operational improvement projects in Washington’s public school and higher education facilities.  In addition to Seattle Central Community College, 52 other Ameresco Quantum clients were awarded grants — the most of any qualified energy services company.

The energy efficiency project will replace outdated HVAC equipment, retrofit or replace inefficient lighting, and upgrade the campus Energy Management System (EMS) in multiple campus buildings. In addition, water conservation measures will be implemented to save both water and energy for water heating.

The Broadway Edison Hall, The Charles Mitchell Activity Center and Bookstore, The Siegal Center, The Erickson Theater, The Fine Arts Building, and The Broadway Performance Hall are among the buildings that will undergo renovations.

About Ameresco, Inc.
Ameresco, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in April 2000 and is a leading independent provider of comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America.  Ameresco’s solutions include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure, and the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy plants.  With corporate headquarters located in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has 55 offices in 29 states and four Canadian provinces.  For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

About Seattle Central Community College
Seattle Central Community College is located on Capitol Hill, the vibrant urban center of Seattle life. We are an educational home for our students, a leadership incubator for our community and an economic catalyst for our state and beyond. Since 1966, the college has served the higher education and workforce training needs of more than 500,000 students. Seattle Central is committed to creating a learning environment that is accessible, diverse, responsive, and innovative. For more information, visit www.seattlecentral.org.