NORESCO, a national leader in energy efficiency and energy infrastructure solutions, has won a $43 million energy savings performance contract for work at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, the U.S. Army's largest and most active basic combat training center. NORESCO specializes in the development, design, construction, financing and operation of energy- and environmental-efficiency projects and is a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The infrastructure project, which focuses on energy efficiency and water conservation, includes improvements to lighting and upgrades to energy management control systems, central plant facilities and water systems. It will improve comfort and productivity for soldiers and staff in the indoor environment, while reducing energy use intensity by 17 percent and water usage by 12 percent. The project will also measurably reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Carbon dioxide emissions are projected to decline by 12,787 metric tons each year, equivalent to removing 2,460 cars from the road for one year.

The infrastructure upgrades and associated maintenance, repair and replacement costs will be paid entirely through more than $106 million in guaranteed savings in energy, water and related costs over the 22-year project term.

The Defense Logistics Agency Energy (DLA Energy), a primary-level field activity of the Defense Logistics Agency, a division of the U.S. Department of Defense, awarded NORESCO the work as part of the Army's effort to increase energy efficiency while upgrading its facilities.

Tom Robertson, director, Fort Jackson Directorate of Public Works, said, "We are happy to have NORESCO as one of our energy partners. This is an excellent example of how the Army can leverage the private sector to help installations meet their energy goals. NORESCO's efforts will go a long way in helping Fort Jackson meet its energy goals, resulting in a positive impact on the environment as well as reducing our energy cost."

Facility improvements include a comprehensive high-efficiency lighting project with LED lighting technologies, an extensive 20,500-point controls upgrade, central plant improvements including a 2.4 million gallon thermal energy storage tank and water system upgrades including irrigation controls. Construction on the project is scheduled to be completed in March 2017. Comprehensive long-term maintenance, repair and replacement of the installed components are also funded through guaranteed energy savings to ensure the installed improvements remain in good working order over the 22-year contract term.

"This comprehensive project helps support Army operations and Fort Jackson while meeting energy and water reduction goals," said Neil Petchers, president and CEO, NORESCO. "NORESCO is proud to continue our long relationship with the U.S. Army through this effort."