MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Montgomery County Recovery Office looks into furthering energy efficiency with $500K in contracts

Federal grants aim to fund energy assessment, suitability studies

The entrance to One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown, where many county offices are housed. Credit: Montgomery County Commissioners

Federal grants aim to fund energy assessment, suitability studies

  • Montgomery County

Environmental efforts continued in Montgomery County as elected officials allocated more than $540,000 in contracts to further explore sustainability measures. 

The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program funding covered the six-figure expense proposed by the Montgomery County Recovery Office, according to the contracts. The studies aim to examine energy usage and efficiency in county facilities. County commissioners unanimously authorized two contracts as part of a larger package during a Nov. 14 meeting.

A $265,236 agreement with CMTA Inc., of Prospect, Ky., procured resources for an energy assessment study.

“[The] contract provides for energy consulting services, engineering analysis and design services, which will enable Montgomery County to better understand energy usage and moving forward install needed appliances and systems in Montgomery County buildings,” the contract states.

While the county’s recovery office endorsed the Kentucky-based firm, six others submitted bids to a previously advertised request for proposal. Other interested parties came from California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, according to the contract.

Additionally, a $275,000 agreement with Philadelphia-based Pennoni Associates Inc. provided resources to conduct a “sustainability study,” encompassing engineering analysis as well as design and energy consulting services, according to the contract.

The county seeks to “better understand energy usage, provide recommendations for prospective energy usage, and provide considerations for the implementation of energy infrastructure at the Eagleville Campus,” the contract states.

The Philadelphia firm was one of 10 to respond to a previously advertised request for proposals. Along with Entech Engineering Inc., of Reading, other applicants were located in California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., Norristown. Those interested in attending the meeting can also do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov for more information.

This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit https://www.thereporteronline.com.





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Rachel Ravina | The Reporter

Rachel Ravina is a journalist covering news and lifestyle features in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Blue Bell and graduated from Penn State. She's also a news enthusiast who is passionate about covering topics people want to read.