The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) is the state’s largest agency with over 23 correctional facilities that annually consume approximately $13 million in energy and water. ADC is charged with managing one of the country’s fastest-growing inmate populations, presenting staff with the constant challenge of managing personnel, space, and energy as efficiently as possible.
PHASE 1
In April of 2016, ADC elected to participate in the Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting (AEPC) program to accelerate energy conservation efforts across their facilities. After a competitive selection process, ADC selected Entegrity to design and implement a Phase 1 energy performance contract at the East Arkansas Regional Unit and Delta Regional Unit. Together, these prisons used more than twice the amount of energy and water typically seen in U.S. correctional facilities.
This project introduced LED lighting upgrades, complete HVAC system upgrades, food waste composting, a 300-kW solar array, water conservation, wastewater improvements, and a nationally recognized inmate energy education program. Combined, these measures delivered over $1.1 million in guaranteed annual savings to the agency while maintaining a positive balance throughout the entire project.
PHASE 2
After a successful Phase 1, ADC agreed to the latest Performance Contract and Solar Services Agreement (SSA) in October 2020 for the Tucker Unit, Tucker Max Unit, and Tucker Re-Entry Center. This second phase was guaranteed by Entegrity under Performance Contracting to not only pay for itself but to also put money back into the state agency’s budget.
Much like Phase 1, Phase 2 saves ADC a guaranteed annual savings of $1.1 million while maintaining a positive balance by:
- Replacing 4,800 lighting fixtures with tamper-resistant LED lighting fixtures, reducing lighting energy and maintenance expenses by 60%.
- Installing 2,300 smart fixtures, reducing water and sewer costs by 35%.
- Composting food waste through in-vessel, rotary drum digesters, reducing water and natural gas use by more than $150,000 per year.
- Replacing HVAC equipment, performing tune-ups, and control upgrades, reducing operating costs by $100,00 per year.
- Educating selected inmates on basic maintenance and operation of mechanical systems.
- Implementing a 6.5 MW SSA, saving the agency more than $200,000 per year.
