Case Study: City of Selah achieves positive cash flow and $71,623 annual energy savings with Ameresco Energy Savings Performance Contracting

City Infrastructure Upgrades Generate Positive Cash Flow

The City of Selah, WA faced a persistent operational challenge when a wastewater treatment plant blower failed and traditional contracting routes stalled; after learning Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) met procurement requirements, the City engaged Ameresco to assess opportunities across municipal facilities, including LED street and area lighting and wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

Ameresco developed and delivered a $1.44 million turnkey ESPC project—upgrading lift pumps, motors, lagoon mixers, an aeration blower, and gauges at the plant, retrofitting interior/exterior lighting at City Hall, Public Works, and the Fire Department, and converting 179 street lights to LED—resulting in $71,623 annual energy savings, a 338-ton CO2e reduction, positive cash flow from operational savings, a $407,050 state grant, over $132,000 in utility incentives, low‑interest financing, and on‑time, under‑budget completion.

City of Selah

Joe Henne

Director of Public Works