Ameresco's logo (Ameresco/LEDinside)

Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, announced today that it was selected by the City of St. Helens for an energy savings performance contract (ESPC). Ameresco will audit, design, and implement the project, and assist with securing the financing. The project includes upgrading 915 high pressure sodium (HPS) street light fixtures to LED technology, in addition to identifying other efficiency, utility maintenance and infrastructure improvements.

"It makes financial sense for our City to install new LED street lights that will help to reduce energy use while improving illumination and safety throughout the community," said John Walsh, City Administrator of St. Helens. "By taking advantage of the ESPC model, it makes it possible for Oregon public entities like ours to make use of the energy and operational savings to pay for the improvements over an acceptable timeframe without placing additional burden on our taxpayers."

The new LED street lights are expected to reduce the City’s annual electricity consumption and maintenance cost each year. The City’s electric utility, Columbia River PUD, owns the street lights and charges the City a flat rate. Once the LED conversion is complete, the City will realize a new lower rate from the utility. Ongoing maintenance of the lights will continue to be the City’s responsibility.

“Ameresco is excited to partner with the City of St. Helens to provide an LED solution that is financially and aesthetically attractive for the community and taxpayers,” said Louis Maltezos, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. “Under the ESPC, it’s a win-win. There isn’t an up-front cost and the project is budget-neutral to the City, while it makes it possible for the City to take advantage of enhanced lighting and environmental benefits.”

The City of St. Helens is the thirteenth city in the Pacific Northwest to select Ameresco to upgrade its street lights and help reduce energy costs. In the past year, Ameresco has installed nearly 10,000 street lights for Oregon and Washington municipalities, including the Cities of Longview, Olympia, Renton and Yakima. In addition to the City of St. Helens, Ameresco was recently awarded similar projects throughout the U.S. by the Cities of Kent, Everett, Lakewood, West Richland, Kelso and Oak Harbor in WA, as well as Tucson, AZ and Honolulu, HI.