U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) awarded Green Generation Solutions, LLC (GreenGen), a D.C. based company experienced in engineering and implementing energy efficiency solutions, a $2.4 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) to reduce energy consumption along a 10 mile stretch of the U.S. border with Mexico in Yuma, Arizona over a 12 year performance period.

“GreenGen is proud to partner with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to support President Obama’s vision for energy stewardship at federal facilities to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions," said Brad Dockser, CEO, GreenGen. "The CBP’s project in Arizona is an exciting opportunity to deliver energy and cost savings."

Through the ESPC, GreenGen will install a combination of measures focused on reducing energy for exterior border lighting in the vicinity of the San Luis Port of Entry. This section of the border spans nearly 10 miles and covers approximately 135 acres in Yuma County, Arizona.  The energy efficiency project is expected to reduce electricity consumption by approximately 75% percent.

To do so, GreenGen will install more than 530 solid state LED technology fixtures mounted on approximately 250 poles along the border with Cooper-Lumark Galleon LED fixtures. Currently, the border lights are affixed with 1000W metal halide light fixtures.  By implementing the new solution, the project will save over 2,701,000 kWh of energy each year, reduce electrical demand on the Arizona Public Service power system by 500kW each month, and eliminate the burning of diesel fuel for on-site electricity generation that supports supplemental lighting under a border crossing bridge. 

The project will be paid for using cost savings generated by the project.  Instead of CBP continuing to pay $250,000 more for electrical usage over the next 12 years, those savings will be applied as payments toward the principal and interest for a loan used to finance the project.  After the 12 year breakeven, the government will continue to realize energy savings every year beyond 2028. GreenGen expects first year savings to exceed $250,000 and $3.34 million in energy cost savings during the 12-year performance period.

FEMP's ESPC ENABLE provides a standardized and streamlined process for small federal facilities to install targeted energy conservation measures in under six months. Projects are administered through the GSA Federal Supply Schedule 84, Special Identification Number (SIN) 246-53 using a set of pre-established procurement and technical tools. The program allows federal sites an opportunity to implement specific energy conservation measures, including lighting, water, simple HVAC controls, HVAC system replacement, and solar photovoltaic.

ESPC ENABLE offers the same benefits as a conventional ESPC, while taking advantage of the GSA Schedule and its set of pre-qualified vendors and pre-negotiated pricing. This allows for a faster selection process so that a project can be designed and installed quickly. "The U.S. government is the largest single user of energy, and we look forward to helping government agencies save energy so they can save taxpayers' money.  The GSA Schedule 84 ESPC ENABLE program is a great way to achieve both to operate in the green," said Dockser.

GreenGen currently has work under the ENABLE program with U.S. Forest Service, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Defense (Air Force) and recently completed a project at the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Hammond, IN.