MILWAUKEE - The Virginia Department of Corrections has awarded Johnson Controls Inc. an $8.2 million energy performance contract that is expected to reduce annual energy and operational expenditures by $733,707 per year over the next 15 years. The project includes improvements to four of the department's correctional centers: Buckingham, Dillwyn, Fluvanna, and Nottoway. The contract was awarded after more than nine months of cooperative research and analysis with the Department of Corrections.

According to Johnson Controls, the facility improvements being made entail no cost to the department over the life of the contract. The improvements will instead pay for themselves over time through guaranteed energy and operational savings. This allows the Department of Corrections to upgrade aging infrastructure while maintaining or reducing budget outlays. In addition to equipment replacements, the project also establishes a long-term plan to implement a comprehensive energy and operational efficiency program, which will enable the Virginia Department of Corrections to use future savings to fund additional improvements.

"Without entering into a performance contract, the facility upgrades needed to reduce spending on energy and water would not be possible with our current budget," said Gene Johnson, director of the Virginia Department of Corrections. "The relationship with Johnson Controls will allow us to improve correctional center facilities without placing an additional burden on the taxpayers."