Texas School District Signs $3.7 Million Performance Contract with TAC

Facility Upgrades will Improve Efficiency at Eight District Buildings

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Dallas – July 19, 2007 – The Gregory – Portland Independent School District (ISD) in Portland, Texas has signed a $3.7 million performance contract with the Energy Solutions division of TAC. A world leader in building automation, security and energy solutions, TAC will provide facility upgrades to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at eight district school and administrative facilities. TAC guarantees that the Gregory – Portland ISD will reduce utility costs by more than $350,000 annually after the project is completed in November 2007.

TAC is delivering this project through performance contracting, a turnkey contracting method whereby the design, construction, commissioning and performance measurement are incorporated into one guaranteed fixed price. Improved facility efficiency and comfort are among the long-term results TAC delivers as the single provider accountable for all aspects of the project. Performance contracting projects are funded in a variety of ways, including general obligation bond funds, maintenance reserve funds, and financing secured against guaranteed energy savings. TAC guarantees the amount of savings the projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not realized. Typically, new, more efficient equipment and upgraded facility automation systems generate the utility savings, as well as maximize energy efficiency and improve occupant comfort.

“Through the performance contract, TAC will address several critical issues our district faced,” said Larry Bonner, business manager for Gregory – Portland ISD. “TAC will complete a comprehensive, self-funded, district-wide facility improvement program that uses guaranteed energy savings to eliminate any risk to school district.”

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Major problems the contract will address include mechanical equipment failures causing comfort issues; lack of district-wide control of building equipment usage; water leaks in several roofs; aging lighting systems and inconsistent lighting levels; and old and inefficient plumbing fixtures.

Each facility will be linked with a TAC Vista energy management system (EMS) that includes a central workstation for accessing and programming the system at any school through a graphical user interface. A laptop will be provided for remote EMS access. TAC will also replace or repair various heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and components; upgrade lighting to T8 fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts at most campuses; replace roofs on four buildings; and install efficient plumbing fixtures in seven facilities.

“Students, faculty and other staff at Gregory – Portland ISD will enjoy a better learning and working environment as a result of these facility updates,” said Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. “Local tax payers will also benefit because all of these improvements will be paid for with the resulting utility savings, not a tax increase.”

About TAC
TAC is a leading provider of building automation solutions based on Open Integrated Systems for Building IT. TAC's mission is to provide added value through building environment services for indoor climate, security and use of energy, delivered with advanced technology to end users and property owners throughout the world. With over 80 years of experience in the HVAC, building automation and security arenas, TAC employs more than 5,000 people worldwide, with partners and branches in 80 countries. TAC's parent company, Schneider Electric, is the world’s power and control specialist with 112,000 employees worldwide and operations in 190 countries.  For more information visit www.tac.com

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