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Comprehensive upgrades to the learning environment, developed in partnership with OPTERRA, will modernize critical building systems, improve accessibility and safety, and create a new, inclusive playground.

CONNELLSVILLE, Pa.   October, 22  2026 — The Connellsville Area School District today announced a major infrastructure modernization project at Dunbar Township Elementary School, the district’s largest elementary school, in partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services (OPTERRA).

The comprehensive project represents the first major renovation of the school in more than 55 years and takes a holistic approach to addressing the facility’s current and future needs. The District and OPTERRA developed an integrated plan that combines long-term infrastructure planning and implementation to modernize the school and create a safer, efficient, and more accessible learning environment for students and staff.

One of the celebratory additions of the project championed by the local community will be the development of a new, inclusive playground designed to provide students with special needs greater access to outdoor play, recreation, and social interaction. This important focus of the project scope was driven by support from Connellsville families, faculty, staff and students for many years. Recognizing the community’s long-term support for this addition, District leadership is excited to leverage the upcoming project development to meet the opportunity for expanded recreational access.

The new accessible playground will include comprehensive site preparation and earthwork, safety surfacing systems, inclusive playground equipment, accessible pathways, and security fencing.

“This project is about more than repairing aging infrastructure. It is about taking a comprehensive, long-term look at the needs of the school and creating a plan that supports students, staff, and the community for decades to come,” said Mr. Robert Renzi/Board Member Connellsville Area School District. “After nearly 60 years without a major renovation, this project provides an opportunity to address critical infrastructure needs in a coordinated way while also making important investments in accessibility and the student experience.”

“At OPTERRA, we are proud to partner with school districts across Pennsylvania to deliver infrastructure solutions that create safer, more efficient, and more inspiring learning environments for students, faculty, and staff,” said Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA. “We applaud the Connellsville Area School District leadership and community champions who have embraced a holistic vision for this project, ensuring that student-centered educational outcomes remain at the heart of every decision. When schools plan comprehensively – looking holistically at their infrastructure, utility systems, safety, accessibility, and long-term facility needs – we see smarter investments that modernize facilities and strengthen learning environments for generations to come.”

The project also includes other major areas of infrastructure resiliency improvement including:

• HVAC Infrastructure Upgrade: featuring new boilers, a chiller, unit ventilators, and advanced temperature controls to enhance comfort, energy efficiency, and system reliability
• Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade: A proposed electrical infrastructure modernization will upgrade aging systems with new electrical distribution equipment, enhanced fire alarm and public address systems, and a standby generator for critical operations. These improvements will increase safety, reliability, resiliency, and capacity to support the District’s future needs.
• Restroom Renovation: A proposed restroom modernization project will renovate restrooms with new plumbing fixtures, durable finishes, enhanced accessibility features, and touchless technology. The upgrades will create cleaner, safer, and more functional facilities while improving comfort, hygiene, and the overall student experience.
• Parking lot Renovation: Upgrades to expand and repave the front parking area while enhancing traffic flow, accessibility and safety. The project includes new pavement, stormwater infrastructure, striping, signage, and accessible pathways to create a safer, more efficient arrival experience for students, staff, and visitors
• Locker Replacement: New lockers will be installed to replace aging units with secure, space-efficient storage solutions
• Classroom Window Installation: Install new, energy-efficient windows in select classrooms to bring more natural daylight into learning spaces. The upgrades will enhance classroom environments, improve energy performance, and create a brighter, more engaging experience for students and staff.
• Exterior Door Replacement: Includes the full replacement of primary exterior doors plus classroom entry/exit doors to enhance safety, durability and efficiency.

About OPTERRA Energy Services
OPTERRA, an LS Power company, is a national energy company headquartered in Oakland, California. Following Opterra’s acquisition of NORESCO in 2026, OPTERRA employs 750 energy professionals across the U.S. as one of America’s premier energy service companies. The company provides comprehensive energy and infrastructure solutions to municipalities, K-16 education, special districts, and state and federal agencies. OPTERRA and its NORESCO line of business have delivered 880 megawatts of installed distributed generation, provided services to 19,000 facilities, and secured more than $8 billion in customer energy savings over the company’s 50+ year history. For more information, visit www.opterraenergy.com.

Media Contact:

OPTERRA

Anne Smith

asmith@opterraenergy.com

408-313-8089

Cupertino, Calif. June 15, 2026 – The Cupertino Union School District (CUSD), in partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services, today announced the completion of a district-wide sustainability infrastructure project designed to strengthen energy resiliency, reduce the District’s carbon footprint, and expand educational opportunities for students.

The comprehensive program includes the installation of 5.2 megawatts of solar across District facilities, 72 level two electric vehicle charging stations, and two emergency backup generators located at the District Office and maintenance yard to support operational continuity during power outages.

“The District’s 2019/2020 Facilities Master Plan identified energy efficiency and sustainability as key priorities,” said Stacy Yao, Superintendent of Cupertino Union School District. “This project reflects our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship while also creating meaningful STEM learning opportunities tied to our energy project that help prepare students for the jobs of the future.”

In addition to its environmental and operational benefits, the project incorporates hands-on STEM education opportunities throughout the District. Students engage with clean energy and sustainability concepts through immersive learning experiences integrated into classroom curriculum and the District’s Extended Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P). The initiative is designed to connect real-world infrastructure improvements from the District energy project with educational programming that encourages exploration in science, technology, engineering, and sustainability fields.

The project was funded through a tax-exempt lease agreement and federal support provided through the Inflation Reduction Act. CUSD is expected to receive approximately $8.5 million in IRA funding, helping maximize the long-term value of the investment. The combined solar and EV charging infrastructure is projected to generate more than $36 million in net lifetime savings for the District.

“This project demonstrates Cupertino’s leadership in sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and innovation,” said Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA Energy Services. “By investing in clean energy infrastructure and student engagement opportunities, the District is creating a more resilient and forward-thinking learning environment for students, staff, and the broader community. We’re proud to partner with CUSD on this important initiative.”

About Cupertino Union School District

In 1917, the four original one-room school districts in Cupertino – San Antonio, Lincoln, Doyle, and Collins – consolidated into what is today the Cupertino Union School District (CUSD). More than a century later, CUSD now comprises of 17 elementary schools, one K-8 school, and five middle schools which serve families across six Bay Area cities including Cupertino and portions of Sunnyvale, San Jose, Saratoga, Los Altos, and Santa Clara.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, CUSD consistently ranks amongst the top performing elementary (TK-8th) school districts in California. The District employs approximately 1,390 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff and serves a highly diverse student population of approximately 13,500 that encompasses more than 20 nationalities and 45 languages.

The District’s Strategic Plan focuses on relevant and rigorous instruction, personalized learning, and a whole-child approach to preparing students for success. CUSD is proud of its outstanding academic programs, highly-qualified teachers, and strong parent support.

About OPTERRA Energy Services
OPTERRA Energy Services, an LS Power company, is a national energy company headquartered in Oakland, California, and employs nearly 300 energy professionals across the U.S. The company provides comprehensive energy and infrastructure solutions to municipalities, K-16 education, special districts, and state and federal agencies. To date, OPTERRA has helped customers achieve more than $3 billion dollars in guaranteed energy cost savings. For more information, visit www.opterraenergy.com.

Media Contacts:

Cupertino Union School District

Erin Lindsey

Sr. Director of Communication

lindsey_erin@cusdk8.org

Desk: 408-252-3000 ext. 61206 | Cell: 408-754-6184

OPTERRA Energy Services

Anne Smith

Public Relations

asmith@opterraenergy.com

408-313-8089

Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District and OPTERRA Energy Services Announce Completion of $33 Million Campus-Wide Modernization Project

Yucaipa, Calif. — The Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District (YCJUSD), in partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services, today announced the successful completion of a comprehensive $33 million, district-wide energy modernization project. This initiative reflects the District’s leadership in advancing economic sustainability for the broader community, while improving campus infrastructure for students, staff, and faculty.

Focused on modernizing its facilities without placing additional financial burden on local taxpayers, YCJUSD initiated a performance-based energy contract with OPTERRA Energy Services in 2023. Over the past three years, OPTERRA implemented a holistic, district-wide approach to the project, completing significant upgrades to lighting systems, replacement of aging heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and the installation of on-site solar energy generation.

The District has completed $33 million in critical infrastructure improvements across its campuses while also prioritizing overall reduction in energy consumption and leveraging available grants and incentives. By taking a comprehensive approach to their program design and implementation goals, YCJUSD has been able to enhance operational efficiency while supporting long-term financial stability.

“This project represents a major step forward for our District,” said Cathy Bogh, President of the YCJUSD Board of Education. “We are proud to invest in modern, efficient, and sustainable facilities that directly benefit our students and staff, all while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. This partnership has allowed us to improve our schools for the current community of students and teachers, while planning responsibly for growth into the future.”

Key components of the project include:

• 3.1 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems installed across 12 schools
• LED interior and exterior lighting upgrades at 14 sites
• Sports field lighting improvements at Yucaipa High School
• Major HVAC mechanical system replacements
• Transformer replacements to improve electrical reliability
• A 20-year operations and maintenance program to ensure long-term performance
• Student interns recognized by the YCJUSD Board of Education with Certificates of Achievement for their contributions to the energy project

The project is expected to deliver significant financial and environmental benefits, including more than $42 million in net savings over 20 years. YCJUSD will also secure more than $5 million dollars in an Inflation Reduction Act grant, further maximizing the value of their investment.

Ensuring that the project infrastructure improvements also had a direct impact on District education goals, the energy program includes a customized student engagement initiative with multiple offerings. One key activity focuses on student internships designed to enrich YCJUSD’s vision to expand workforce development and readiness for students in energy and sustainability fields. Led by OPTERRA’s in-house energy education team and advised by District leadership, the program also includes the development of elementary science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) learning kits aligned to the District’s curriculum to be distributed across all elementary schools. With the unique combination of energy infrastructure upgrades and tailored education tie-ins, YCJUSD’s program is helping to equip educators with hands-on tools to engage students in sustainability, energy, and engineering concepts.

“Our team is so proud to support YCJUSD’s vision for future success through the successful completion of our project together this spring. YCJUSD’s leadership demonstrates how school districts can take a proactive, strategic approach to modernizing facilities while delivering measurable financial and environmental benefits,” said Courtney Jenkins, CEO of OPTERRA Energy Services. “By leveraging a comprehensive energy program, the District has transformed its campuses into more efficient, sustainable learning environments without increasing costs to the community.”

About OPTERRA Energy Services
OPTERRA Energy Services, an LS Power company, is a national energy company headquartered in Oakland, California, and employs nearly 300 energy professionals across the U.S. The company provides comprehensive energy and infrastructure solutions to municipalities, K-16 education, special districts, and state and federal agencies. To date, OPTERRA has helped customers achieve more than $3 billion dollars in guaranteed energy cost savings. For more information, visit www.opterraenergy.com.

About YCJUSD

YCJUSD serves more than 8,600 students – in preschool through comprehensive adult education – in California’s Inland Empire. With 14 schools offering both in-person and online pathways to graduation, YCJUSD provides a modern, innovative educational program for students across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. To learn more about the District, visit www.yucaipaschools.com, and for specific details on long-term solar cost savings, visit www.yucaipaschools.com/page/solar-project.

Media Contacts

Anne Smith, OPTERRA Energy Services Public Relations

(408) 313-8089, asmith@opterraenergy.com

Lance Bradley, YCJUSD, Manager-Communications and Safety

(909) 797-0174, Lance_Bradley@ycjusd.us

Oakland Roots and Soul SC announce official Partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services headquartered in Oakland.

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  Oakland Roots and Soul SC announce official partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services headquartered in Oakland.

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  Oakland Roots and Soul SC announce official partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services headquartered in Oakland.

Learn more about Oceanside’s comprehensive energy project with OPTERRA Energy Services and reach significant milestones in the latest City-wide newsletter. Our project together includes infrastructure upgrades, as well as new solar PV generation and storage capacity, which combined, aims to save $26 million over the course of 30 years.

Paris-Union School District 95 is preparing to take the next big step in transforming its school facilities. A proposed vote on August 11 could greenlight $500,000 for OPTERRA Energy Services to begin designing much-needed upgrades across the district.

New Partnership Links STEM Education and Expanded Access to Sports for Students, Engagement Events for Bay Area Educators, and Shared Commitment to Community Building.

Salinas Union High School District is working with OPTERRA to enhance and improve their sustainability profile through clean energy. As part of the program, OPTERRA has worked with the dedicated students and teachers leading Salinas High School’s Green Academy curriculum and community engagement. Once construction on the technology upgrades is complete, OPTERRA will provide the District with a Living Laboratory online dashboard, professional development, and hands-on opportunities for teachers across the District to make the solar and energy efficiency work come to life.

During the last board meeting of the academic year, Jefferson Elementary School District officials received the good news that its conservation and renewable energy project is outperforming original savings estimates and inspiring students across the district through innovative STEM education links to the project.