VINCE VERNAY

Proposed diocese-wide energy conservation program

The diocese is pursuing an energy conservation program open to each parish and school for the purpose of lowering the average cost of energy purchased. The saved resources can be redirected to other ministries or improve the educational environment.

A well-conceived energy conservation program generally consists of three broad elements: energy audit, design and installation of a renewable energy system, and financing.

An energy audit is a basic analysis of the existing energy system of the parish and school facilities designed to reduce energy consumption. The object is to lower energy usage and therefore energy costs to their lowest point without affecting the parish and school operation.

A further analysis of the building construction, orientation to the sun, and available useful space are some elements that are considered when designing a renewable energy system. Each parish and school will present a different set of circumstances. Therefore, each parish or school may very well have different renewable energy systems and equipment arrangements. The overall goal is to reduce the amount of power purchased from the electric company.

Because the diocese is a nonprofit organization with 66 separate entities, this presents challenges to the investment arm of this project. These challenges can be overcome with careful due diligence. The object of the financing package is twofold: to finance the project without any upfront money from the diocese, parishes, and schools, and to ensure that they will have lower electrical bills now and into the future.

The diocese solicited a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from ten companies to conduct energy audits, design and install renewable energy systems, and provide financing for the diocese-wide project.

A Diocesan Energy Evaluations Committee, consisting of a broad spectrum of those involved with various aspects of energy conservation, has been established to evaluate the RFQs for the purpose of recommending to the diocese the most qualified company to meet our needs. The committee is currently meeting and evaluating RFQ submissions. It is anticipated that it will finish its deliberations by the end of March 2010.