The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority awarded Five-Hawk’s Energy Service partner, Eaton Corporation, a contract to perform Energy Audits and Weatherization Services on Navajo Nation government and Enterprise facilities located throughout the Navajo Nation.

Eaton Corporation is in the process of conducting a technical energy audit of the Navajo Nation’s and its Enterprises’ facilities and implementing an Energy Performance Contract, in order to identify and implement capital improvements to increase energy efficiencies and reduce related costs and environmental impact in these facilities. Funding is provided, in part, by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and successful applicants must provide the NTUA with timely reporting to satisfy stringent and transparent reporting requirements called for by ARRA.

The NTUA seeks to maximize energy cost savings that will pay for facility upgrades and energy services. The capital improvements and services will be financed through an energy performance contract that will incur no initial capital costs, with option for the NTUA to provide capital if desired, and achieve significant long-term cost savings. The NTUA desires to engage services that enable additional benefits that directly result from the energy efficiency and capital improvements, such as improved operational efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and environmental stewardship.

Eaton Corporation is performing a Comprehensive Energy Analysis of the Navajo Nation and its Enterprises’ facilities to determine what potential energy savings are available. The analysis will identify and individually list Facility Improvement Measures (FIM) and Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) and outline a precise implementation cost, the energy savings and the funding and payback method and timeframe for each. Eaton Corporation will indicate which FIMs are recommended. After reviewing the list of FIM/ECM and considering Eaton’s recommendations, the NTUA may select a combination of FIM/ECM for design and implementation by Eaton.

Five-Hawk/Eaton passed NTUA’s strict evaluation criteria in selecting an Energy Service provider (ESCO). These included Qualifications and Financial capability of the firm, providing a technical assessment review of the scope of the project, having energy and environmental experience and experience with Performance Contracting.

The NTUA is interested in implementing a comprehensive range of energy conservation and facility improvement services. The focus of the Energy & Environmental Services will be to reduce operating costs due to increased energy prices and maintenance costs, upgrade older inefficient equipment, and improve the learning and workplace environment.

Eaton will assist the NTUA to identify, inventory, and quantify areas of opportunities to increase efficiencies, while reducing carbon emission and sources of global warming pollution produced by NTUA building and facility operations. Eaton will collect data about energy management, recycling and waste reduction, transportation, and land use to assist the NTUA in development of a comprehensive carbon reduction program.

In particular, Eaton will implement Lighting System Retrofits, HVAC System Upgrades & Retrofit, Electrical Distribution Equipment, HVAC Products & Services, Water Treatment Solutions, Waste Water Treatment Solutions, Technical & Educational Training, and “Smart Metering”.