Department of Natural Resources awards almost $785,000 to Elsberry R-II …

District will install lighting/HVAC upgrades and new building management system for energy savings

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 5, 2025 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Loan Program has awarded a low-interest loan of $783,355 to assist the Elsberry R-II School District with an energy efficiency project. It will include the following improvements:

• Replace four variable refrigerant flow heat pump units with high efficiency units.
• Replace 20 water source heat pumps with high efficiency units and autoflow metering devices.
• Replace four rooftop units with high efficiency units.
• Replace a high-pressure loop boiler and pumps with high efficiency boiler and pump package with variable frequency drives and modulating valve control.
• Replace a non-functioning building automation system with a new management system to implement energy savings measures and equipment monitoring throughout the district.
• Upgrade over 500 T-8 and T-12 fluorescent lights with LEDs.

"Communities are eager to trim monthly expenses and be better financial stewards," said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "By implementing these energy efficiency projects, applicants are able to better conserve our energy resources and focus more of their budgets on their core missions."

The project, which is expected to benefit more than 3,200 Missourians, is anticipated to result in annual energy savings of approximately $89,557. The applicant will repay the loan with money saved on energy costs as a result of the energy efficiency project. In addition, the project will reduce electricity use by more than 971,090 kilowatt hours, avoiding nearly 840 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution, which equates to removing 196 passenger cars from the road for a year.

"The Energy Loan Program provides the opportunity to make improvements by installing energy efficient innovations," said Emily Wilbur, director of MoDNR's Division of Energy. "This loan program stimulates Missouri's economy by saving taxpayer money, allowing the applicants to redirect savings toward other priorities."

Since the Energy Loan Program's inception in 1989, the department's Division of Energy has awarded more than 632 loans representing more than $120 million in completed energy efficiency projects and more than $235 million in estimated cumulative energy savings. Through the Division of Energy, low-interest loans are provided to public schools, public higher education institutions and local governments to help reduce energy costs. Loan financing may be used for various energy-saving investments such as insulation, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, combined heat and power, pumps, motors, aerators, renewable energy systems and other measures that reduce energy use and cost.

To learn more about the Energy Loan Program, please visit dnr.mo.gov/energy/financial-assistance-opportunities or contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Energy at 573-751-2254 or toll-free at 855-522-2796.