Energy audit aims to cut waste

Incentive program will refund 100 percent of the audit cost Sussex Borough — The borough is participating in the Local Government Energy Audit (LGEA) program offered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program. The borough received the go-ahead to start its energy audit in early February. A $29,356 audit agreement was signed later that month. The borough has already received a commitment from the state’s Office of Clean Energy and approved program incentive of 100 percent of the audit costs. According to documents provided by the borough, “incentives are based on a tiered incentive cap structure determined by the total square footage of buildings to be audited.” Properties owned by Sussex Borough total 23,500 square feet. The state’s incentive offer for reimbursement comes with a few stipulations. The LGEA program requires that the borough install measures recommended in the audit report in each of the buildings. The borough has one year to complete recommendations in the approved report. For each building, the borough must spend at least 25 percent of the cost of the audit installing those measures. Failure to spend the 25 percent in each building will result in the borough having to reimburse the program for the audit costs. The purpose of the audit is to reduce energy costs through energy conservation measures, reduce maintenance costs and increase comfort in the borough facilities. The audit is expected to evaluate lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and controls, building envelopes, water conservation improvements, utility rate and procurement analysis and the feasibility and analysis of alternative energy. Representatives from Parsippany-based Clough Harbour and Associates will complete the energy audit on all borough-owned properties including Sussex Borough Municipal Building, DPW facilities, Tri-State Actor’s Theater and the water treatment facility. Following on-site analysis and data collection, the report is expected to take 60 days to complete and will be submitted to the state for review, recommendations and approval. The audit must be completed, and a draft of the report must be submitted to the program administrator by Aug. 3 or the borough risks losing the incentive provided by the state.