Hot Springs School District receives $201K in energy incentives

The Hot Springs School District received about $201,000 in energy efficiency incentives from Entergy Arkansas Inc., saving approximately 1.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough to power 128 homes for a year — through the CitySmart Program, according to a news release.

CitySmart, one of 11 Entergy Solutions Programs that offer energy efficiency upgrades and incentives to commercial and residential customers, paid out more than $2.5 million in energy efficiency incentives, representing 20.5 million kilowatt-hours saved in energy-efficient upgrades to 29 school districts and eight colleges and universities throughout the state.

CitySmart helps schools identify energy savings specific to their buildings, prioritize a wide range of energy conservation measures, achieve significant, long-term electricity savings and earn incentives for completing qualifying energy-efficiency projects.

According to Superintendent Stephanie Nehus, the district applied to be a part of the CitySmart program and worked with Excel Energy Group Inc. to survey district facilities for the purpose of identifying outdated, inefficient

or deteriorated lighting systems and technology.

“It included the recommendation of upgrading (or) replacing approximately 8,300 lighting fixtures associated with lamps and ballasts with state-of-theart LED lighting,” Nehus said in an email.

These incentives will not be used on the district’s construction of the new Langston Magnet School or Hot Springs Junior Academy, as those projects are funded through the millage increase. The cost savings will allow the district to maintain other facilities and ensure its buildings and transportation remain in excellent condition for students, she said.

“Under Excel’s Program, the district took no risk, put up zero money, and Excel provided a turnkey installation including 100 percent of the LED material and labor,” Nehus said. “Excel, in partnership with the district, secured the Entergy incentive moneys.”

Gabe Munoz, manager of Energy Efficiency for Entergy Arkansas, said in a news release that when schools are struggling with inefficient lighting or inadequate heating and cooling systems, CitySmart incentives can make a difference in whether an upgrade is possible.

“We offer incentives for implementing and installing a wide range of measures that can help lower the cost of electricity for these customers,” Munoz said.

Nehus said incentives range