Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Knoxville, Tennessee a $7.2 million award, June 12, for a Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) to bring energy upgrades to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South in Millington, Tennessee.

A UESC is a limited-source contract between a federal agency and its serving utility for energy and water efficiency improvements and demand reduction services.

"This project is another example of our strong partnership with local energy organizations to increase our energy efficiency on the installation," said NSA Mid-South Commanding Officer Capt. Michael S. Wathen. "This project will provide modern, secure, sustainable facilities that meet the U.S. Navy's mission, while resulting in a substantial cost savings to the installation."

The UESC calls for the design and installation of seven Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) throughout 31 facilities including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system retro-commissioning in seven facilities; multizone air handler retrofits in four facilities; various control system upgrades in 15 facilities; variable-speed air-handling unit installation in two facilities; and interior and exterior lighting upgrades in 30 facilities on board NSA Mid-South.

"This project is the cornerstone of NSA Mid-South's energy conservation program and is expected to save the U.S. Navy and taxpayers considerable amounts of energy over the next 11 years," said NSA Mid-South Energy Manager Gerald Batchelor. "Money saved through this energy project can be better directed to the more pressing needs of the fleet."

This project not only helps NSA Mid-South and the Navy meet Executive Order 13693, it also allows the installation to replace older, less reliable and inefficient systems with newer technology.

"This project is projected to save nearly 22,200 MBtu (million British thermal unit) annually," said Batchelor. "That equates to about $449,000 annually in combined electric and natural gas savings."

The project falls under 42 USC 8256 (The Energy Policy Act of 1992) and 10 USC 2913 (National Defense Authorization Act of 2007), which authorizes DOD agencies to partner with utilities and use appropriations, private financing, or a combination of both to utilize UESCs for the purpose of acquiring energy management services. The UESC contract vehicle is an essential tool assisting DOD agencies meet their energy reduction mandates set forth in 42 USC 8253 (Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007) and Executive Order 13693.

The project is expected to be completed by July 2019.

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