Public-private partnerships to fund green-energy projects at state agencies, universities

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced today that the Commonwealth will move forward with almost $25 million of green energy projects for state agencies and universities through the Public-Private Educational Facilities Infrastructure Act (PPEA). Funding for the projects will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and some of the projects will result in renewable energy credits.

“These public private partnerships will allow the Commonwealth to promote renewable energy and help our environment, all while saving energy and reducing costs for our state agencies and institutions of higher learning,” said Kaine. “Our private partners have demonstrated that they are capable partners who can fulfill their obligations and help achieve long-term cost savings for the Commonwealth.”

Three companies—Siemens Building Technologies, Johnson Controls Inc., and Trane—submitted PPEA proposals for constructing energy performance projects. Proposals have been reviewed and evaluated by a team of experts, and the best projects have been selected to move forward. The projects will include:
· Installation of photovoltaic solar panels at several parking decks and buildings at Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Department of General Services;
· Solar hot water generation, green roof and general energy efficiency upgrades at selected Virginia Commonwealth University facilities;
· Incorporation of photovoltaic panels, solar thermal for hot water and other green practices at selected facilities at the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries;
· Upgrade of boilers to provide for efficiency and allow utilization of biomass to augment coal at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women;
· Installation of a wind turbine at the Wallens Ridge State Prison.

The projects offer the potential of significant savings of energy and state resources. For example, one proposed project will install approximately 17 solar trees and retrofit the lighting in a DGS parking deck, meeting 80 percent of the electrical needs of the facility and reducing electrical consumption by 400,000kWh.

The next steps in the process are executing interim and final agreements as well as the opportunity for review by the Virginia General Assembly.

Today’s announcement comes as Gov. Kaine continues to advance his “Renew Virginia” initiative—an effort to promote renewable energy, create green jobs, and encourage preservation of the environment. During his administration, Gov. Kaine has incentivized the production of cleaner energy, surveyed the emissions of facilities previously grandfathered out of the Clean Air act, dedicated over a billion dollars to Chesapeake Bay cleanup, protected nearly 350,000 acres of open space, and led the effort to promote regional cooperation to combat climate change.

For more information on Renew Virginia, visit www.governor.virginia.gov.