BES Success Stories: School districts make the grade with energy efficiency

Three school districts in MRES member communities recently received large rebates through the Bright Energy Solutions® (BES) program.

From left: MRES Energy Services Representative Wade Sand, Elementary School Principal Sam Jacobs, Vermillion Superintendent of Schools Damon Alvey and Vermillion Light & Power Electrical Contractor Todd Halverson.

VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA

In Vermillion, a new elementary school welcomed kids to its classrooms in fall 2024. The new school is linked to the existing middle school and features five sections of pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is designed with flexibility in every possible space to allow for growth in single grade levels or the overall student body.

Throughout the construction process, Vermillion Light & Power worked with the school district to install energy efficient-equipment that qualified for a total rebate amount of over $77,000. The rebate was thanks to incentives tied to HVAC equipment, LED lighting, high-efficiency pumps and variable-frequency drives. A large portion was due to a custom rebate of more than $65,000 for a thermal ice storage system that provides chilled water to the HVAC system during peak hours of usage.

Sauk Centre Schools Superintendent Don Pechel (left) and Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission Energy Services Representative Stacy Groetsch.

SAUK CENTRE, MINNESOTA

A major renovation of the public-school building in Sauk Centre offered an opportunity for the school district and the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission to work together. The project earned over $61,000 in rebates. The total rebate amount was largely comprised of incentives tied to HVAC system upgrades and installing LED lighting and high-efficiency pumps.

"This is a wonderful outcome for the district in deferring costs and supplementing the overall construction budget," said Sauk Centre Schools Superintendent Don Pechel. "Thank you to the Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission and BES for making this opportunity available to the district."

From left: Henning Public Schools Superintendent Melissa Sparks, Henning City Clerk Jenna Kovarik and Henning Utilities Supervisor Ted Strand.

HENNING, MINNESOTA

Henning Public Schools also received a BES rebate check in December for collaborating with the City of Henning and contractors to update the school's HVAC system with new energy-efficient air conditioning units. As a result, the school district received a rebate check of $12,681.

"We were happy to work with the City of Henning, and we're excited about the rebate and the energy savings that will come along with it," said Henning School Superintendent Melissa Sparks.

For more information about BES rebates contact your local utility or visit brightenergysolutions.com.