Quorum Court hears pitch for energy savings plan

Miller County might soon save money on their utility costs if the Quorum Court approves a new energy plan.

Skip Woessner with McKinstry Co. LLC presented a proposed energy savings plan to the county's Budget and Finance committee Tuesday and outlined how the county can save energy costs without spending additional money. He said enabling legislation was passed during the recent session of the Arkansas Legislature to allow counties to contract with a company like McKinstry to find the savings for them and reduce costs without having to increase taxes or take a bond for the improvements.

"This is paid for entirely out of savings," he said. "There is no revenue stream, you don't have to go to your constituents for a tax increase. There's no bond to be put out for a vote. There is also no out-of-pocket expense."

If the Quorum Court approves contracting with McKinstry, the county could possibly put solar panels on 27.46 acres at the jail, 11.59 of which are cleared and developed. The energy generated from the solar panels would be put into a virtual meter with the electric company, which would then give energy credit to buildings the county owns, including the jail and the courthouse.

Woessner said that currently, the electric companies are giving an equal rate for energy stored and energy used, which means the energy the panels would feed into the system would be valued at the same rate the company charges for energy.

"Right now, it's an even exchange," he said. "I expect that to change at some point, but that's where it is
for now."

The next step in the process after Quorum Court approval would be for the company to perform an investment grade audit on all the county's buildings.

If the county decides to move forward to pursue a project like the solar panels, the $36,000 cost of the audit will be absorbed into the cost of the project.

"The cost of the audit is absorbed into total product cost and is paid for by savings," he said. "If the county doesn't move forward, it must pay for the cost of the audit." Woessner said that if the justices approve the measure, McKinstry could possibly have the audit completed and ready for final approval in December or January.

The item will be placed on the agenda for the September Quorum Court meeting.

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