New York School District To Save $6 Million Through Infrastucture Upgrades

The New Paltz Central School District in New York is launching a series of energy efficiency upgrades expected to save $258,461 a year. The $4 million project won't require any cash upfront from the district or taxpayers.

Ameresco has completed an energy performance audit and will design and install the upgrades. Ameresco will also pay for the costs of the overhaul as part of an energy savings performance contract.

An ESPC is an agreement between an energy services provider and an institution or building owner to upgrade facilities. The service provider pays the costs of the upgrades, allowing the institution to pay the money back with the resulting savings.

The district reported that it will save $6 million over 18 years as a result of the improvements, which will include:

  • Lighting system improvements and controls;
  • Computer load management;
  • A building management system;
  • Premium efficiency motors;
  • Energy-efficient transformers;
  • Boiler re-piping and controls;
  • A solar hot water heater; and
  • Kitchen upgrades.

The project is currently awaiting approval from the New York State Education Department, which also provided some of the funding.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • tutor and student working together at a laptop

    You've Paid for Tutoring. Here's How to Make Sure It Works.

    As districts and states nationwide invest in tutoring, it remains one of the best tools in our educational toolkit, yielding positive impacts on student learning at scale. But to maximize return on investment, both financially and academically, we must focus on improving implementation.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.