Plumas County could save an estimated $130,400 annually in energy costs under a contract with ENGIE Services U.S., approved by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors March 19.
The multiphase, multiyear project is designed to address energy issues ranging from the county’s obsolete heating, ventilating and air-conditioning units to LED lighting, window seals and street lights. Over the 30 years of the ENGIE contract, the county could save as much as $4.8 million, according to the projections presented by Ashu Jain, a senior manager of the company that describes itself as a global player in low-carbon energy and services.
Plumas County pays around $1.2 million annually to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Heather Benner, ENGIE project manager
County officials have been working with ENGIE on an energy assessment of county-owned property since January 2023. They have examined 45 facilities for energy inefficiencies and potential improvements.
The assessments come at a time of escalating energy costs. Plumas County pays around $1.2 million annually to Pacific Gas & Electric Co., said Heather Benner, director of ENGIE’s Plumas County project. Recently the bill has increased by as much as 40%, said Plumas County Administrative Officer Debra Lucero. And that doesn’t include a 30% rate increase PG&E has requested, she said.
The ENGIE proposal is an opportunity to replace aging and inefficient, energy-zapping equipment before costs skyrocket even farther, said Zachary Gately, Plumas County’s grant manager, who introduced the project March 19.
“‘A stitch in time saves nine,’” he said, quoting Ben Franklin. “Lately we’ve been doing more at the ‘nine’ end of things.”
Assessment included inspecting county buildings
ENGIE’s proposal to implement energy-related improvements began in February 2023 with a complete walk-through of all county-owned buildings. Among them is the courthouse annex, where the annual electricity bill is $185,995. Installing solar panels over a parking area next to the annex would produce energy that could be used in the adjacent building.
In 31 other buildings, 115 old, inefficient HVAC systems are sapping energy without providing the heat and cooling they are designed for. Replacing them would improve working conditions, Benner said. She also recommended installing interior and exterior LED retrofits in 16 buildings, equipping street lights on Fairgrounds Road with LED bulbs, and installing backup emergency generators for 13 buildings.
In the county courthouse, heaters and coolers have long since “done their job,” Benner said. They should be replaced for efficiency and cost savings, she said.
In addition to the courthouse annex solar array, a net energy metering project, ENGIE has proposed another solar program called the renewable energy self-generating bill credit transfer program. It allows a county or municipality to transfer the electricity it generates to buildings away from the production site. It can be used to heat or power as many as 40 buildings. The energy produced will be credited to the energy used off-site.
County supervisors are looking for an appropriate place to apply this program. ENGIE evaluated seven county-owned sites, including meadow land along Stampfli Lane near Crescent Mills, and a 3-acre parcel next to Gray’s Flower Garden, a locally owned nursery business. The Quincy location was all but shot down at a Dec. 19, 2023, board meeting, when neighbors opposed it.
Jain’s March 19 report presented the Crescent Mills site as “the final location that ENGIE has settled on.” In December, Supervisor Kevin Goss warned that the area is prone to flooding, and Stampfli Lane itself is frequently closed due to flood waters. Approval requires a flood study and environmental assessment, which could take several months, Jain said.
Savings projected at $4.8 million over 30 years
Jain told the supervisors the improvements he proposed would create $4.8 million in savings after paying for all costs over the life of the program. Plumas County would also receive $500,000 in cash subsidies from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, he said.
Overall, ENGIE’s proposal would reduce electricity bills by over 25% and reduce carbon emissions at a level equal to removing 131 cars annually from roads. It will take two years to build, with completion expected in March 2026, Jain said.
There were no public comments made at the March 19 meeting, held as a public hearing.
Financing to be determined in April
The supervisors’ discussion before unanimous approval of the project did not include any financial details. Jain estimated total costs of $10.8 million. The county’s contribution would be $1 million, he said.
In a July 21, 2023, presentation to the supervisors, Jain said the county would contribute $500,000 with the remainder to be financed. KNN Public Finance, the county’s financial advisor, is arranging the funding, he said. He plans to bring the finance portion of the project to the supervisors at a meeting later in April.
In a critical detail included in Jain’s written material but not discussed by the supervisors, Jain wrote, “There is a provision in ENGIE’s contract that if financing is not approved by the board, then the contract is null and void with no cost to the county.”
Supervisor Tom McGowan made the motion to approve the contract with modifications and changes recommended by Interim County Counsel Josh Brechtel.
