Johnson Controls and South Arkansas Community College have signed an energy performance contract through the Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting (AEPC) program. According to Johnson Controls, the contract will better integrate energy management systems on the El Dorado, AR campus.

The contract, valued at $2.4 million, will deliver full campus LED lighting, energy management systems integration, chilled water loop expansion, boiler replacements, and building envelope upgrades. Additionally, Johnson Controls will work with the City of El Dorado to incorporate energy efficiency upgrades to the El Dorado Conference Center on South Arkansas’ West Campus.

Utility and operational savings from these energy conservation measures are guaranteed to cover the costs of installation on an annual basis over 15 years. South Arkansas Community College will be able to finance the project at no out-of-pocket cost through these guaranteed savings.

South Arkansas Community College and Johnson Controls worked with the Arkansas Energy Office (AEO), administrator of the AEPC program, to develop the project. AEO offers assistance to state agencies, institutions of higher learning, municipalities, and counties seeking to utilize guaranteed energy savings to perform facilities upgrades. AEO estimates the project will provide more than $7.5 million in economic impact to the downtown El Dorado area, further aiding the area’s revitalization after the recent dedication of the El Dorado Arts & Entertainment District.

“Our building improvements, lighting retrofits, and system redesigns will reduce energy costs and improve the learning and work environment,” said Dr. Barbara Jones, president of South Arkansas Community College. “These improvements also will upgrade lighting, inside and out, for safer campuses. SouthArk is excited that it was able to utilize such a program to improve operational efficiency and the college environment for students and staff.”

“Johnson Controls has a long history of providing energy performance contracts, having implemented more than 3,000 such contracts in North America alone,” said Cheryl Aquadro, south region area sales manager for Johnson Controls. “We’re excited about the South Arkansas project and look forward to working with the college to improve its energy infrastructure.”