Chevron Energy Solutions Launches Energy Conservation, Solar Project for Washtenaw County, Michigan

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich., Dec 9, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX

Chevron Energy Solutions, a unit of ChevronTexaco Corp. (NYSE: CVX), today announced that it has begun construction on an energy conservation project that will save Washtenaw County taxpayers more than $215,000 a year in energy, maintenance and operational costs. The comprehensive project will involve 18 county buildings and will include the county's first solar electric installation, upgrades of building infrastructures, and energy management training for employees that together are designed to reduce expenses and improve indoor comfort.

The costs of the project will be funded through future energy savings associated with the project's newly installed high-efficiency equipment. The savings resulting from the installation of the energy saving equipment are redirected to pay for the costs of the project and are guaranteed by Chevron Energy Solutions. This form of contracting, commonly known as performance contracting, has become increasingly popular in recent years among states, cities, counties and other public institutions because it enables the users to retain scarce capital resources for other critical needs while benefiting from facility upgrades and reduced energy costs.

Chevron Energy Solutions worked with county officials to develop a program that includes:

Chevron Energy Solutions assisted the county in applying for and receiving a $60,000 grant for a 10-kilowatt solar power array that will be installed on the parking structure canopy at the Washtenaw County Courthouse. The photovoltaic system will provide electricity to the underground parking garage, even in the event of a blackout, and will serve as an educational tool for employees, residents and visitors.

"It's important to incorporate renewable technologies into the community's energy portfolio," said Kerry Sheldon, Washtenaw County management analyst. "By installing alternative energy resources as well as energy efficiency improvements, we're applying conservation practices on both sides of the utility meter. It's the most effective way to secure sustainable long-term energy savings for the county."

The $6.1 million project also includes a comprehensive energy education program for 600-800 county employees. The training will cover proper operation of the new equipment and will also teach conservation habits that employees can apply in their own jobs. In addition, the training will increase project savings and help sustain the energy savings over time.

"The solutions developed for this project will help Washtenaw County improve its delivery of services and the quality of indoor environments for patrons and employees," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions. "Taxpayers win through this show of fiscal responsibility -- and the environment wins as well."

Chevron Energy Solutions partners with clients to engineer comprehensive solutions that will address energy procurement and use, energy and water equipment upgrades, and operations and maintenance process optimization. These solutions produce improved indoor environments, increased equipment efficiency and worker productivity, and reduced energy expenses and greenhouse gas emissions. Chevron ES has worked with a broad range of clients in Michigan and the Upper Midwest, including the U.S. Postal Service, various State facilities, school districts and a number of colleges and universities. With offices nationwide, the company maintains in-house engineering, monitoring and project management capabilities, provides financing options and delivers solutions designed to address each customer's particular needs without promoting specific vendors, products or commodities. For more information about Chevron Energy Solutions, please visit http://www.chevronenergy.com .

SOURCE Chevron Energy Solutions

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