Energy audit in the works for bridge commission

By: DANIELLE CAMILLI

Burlington County Times

PALMYRA - The Burlington County Bridge Commission will have an energy audit performed on its facilities to find energy and cost savings before it rolls out a new shared-services initiative that could help county towns and schools find savings of their own.

The commissioners voted at their meeting last week to conduct the audit. Later this year, the commission will begin to sponsor energy audits of municipal and school buildings and then apply on the entities' behalf for funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

The commission's shared service will provide the up-front payment for the audit and then navigate the application process for the BPU's Local Government Energy Audit program, officials said.

The state program reimburses the cost of the audit, provided at least 25 percent of the recommendations are implemented.

"The commission is making use of a valuable state program that has the potential of helping every town in Burlington County become more energy-efficient," Commission Chairman John Comegno said. "And by auditing our own buildings first, we'll be in the best position to assist municipalities. We can share our expertise, tell what worked for us and, most importantly, show the cost savings they can pass on to the taxpayers."

The commission awarded a contract to Concord Engineering Group of Voorhees for $100,000 in February. The contract was for work on the agency's Green Energy Plan, which includes the energy audit. The money to perform the municipalities' and districts' audits also will be funded from this contract, officials said.

In general, energy audits identify areas where entities can realize energy savings and cost-justified measures can be applied. Officials said examples range from replacing standard light bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs to replacing heating and cooling systems with geothermal ones, which use the Earth's natural energy to heat or cool a building.

There are various programs and funding resources for towns, schools and counties to become more energy-efficient, but most of them require an energy audit before any entity is eligible for assistance, officials have said.

"Ultimately, this is about saving taxpayer dollars, but these energy audits will also protect our environment, conserve energy and create jobs," Commissioner Troy E. Singleton said.

As municipalities and school districts struggle with budget issues, many cannot afford the audits even though several in Burlington County have expressed interest. Audits can cost between $10,000 and $60,000, depending on the square footage of facilities and the scope of the work included in the contract, officials said.

Audit results usually generate a list of projects that provide a 20 percent savings in utility costs, commission spokeswoman Liz Verna said.

"Towns can not only measure their energy consumption, but also do something about it, all to the fiscal benefit of their residents," Commission Vice Chairwoman Priscilla B. Anderson said. "As a former mayor, I can really appreciate the value of this shared service."