Community Energy Services loses contract, closes

CANTON — Community Energy Services has closed its doors after losing a major contract with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, bringing into question whether anyone will coordinate the annual sustainable energy fair or the green buildings tour.

"I do think this is huge," said Patricia M. Greene, formerly Community Energy Services events coordinator. "CES has been a prime mover in the energy field and within one month, it's off the face of the earth."

NYSERDA told Community Energy Services earlier this fall it wasn't going to renew its contract to run its North Country Energy $mart Community program in 10 counties. The contract, which Community Energy Services had since 2002, was for $150,000 annually.

The nonprofit agency also received money through various other means such as for technical assistance or energy audits, but the NYSERDA contract was a major revenue stream.

Ironically, the agency was presented in September with NYSERDA's Pioneer Award for its work at 135 Broadway in Saranac Lake, the first building in the state to earn the New York Energy Smart label. Work on the building — which included replacement of the boiler, inefficient windows and appliances — reduced energy use by 27 percent.

Although some people suspected NYSERDA was unhappy with Community Energy Services' management, the company did nothing wrong, according to state authority spokeswoman Colleen Q. Ryan.

"We would welcome CES to submit a proposal for the next time," she said. "These contracts are routinely rebid on a periodic basis."

NYSERDA is revamping its north country program to include a second full-time coordinator and working to expand it in other ways, and so thought it appropriate to rebid, Mrs. Ryan said. A request for proposals could come out any day, she said. In the meanwhile, NYSERDA's economic development staff will oversee the north country program.

"By March, we hope to have someone up and doing it," Mrs. Ryan said.

Community Energy Services, which had eight full- and part-time employees, closed its office at 101 Main St. at the end of November and discontinued its Web site.

"I think NYSERDA is reorganizing itself and wanting people to totally support their programs and toe the line," Ms. Greene said.

Few of its other employees chose to talk.

Agency co-founders Ann L. Heidenreich and Scott C. Shipley referred questions to Executive Director Louise S. Jensen or board President Susan C. Kramer, neither of whom returned calls.

Ms. Greene said she knew of others in the region — which stretches from north of Syracuse to Lake Champlain and into Warren and Washington counties — interested in the NYSERDA contract who might also take on coordination of the energy fair and green buildings tour. There had been talk already of moving the energy fair out of Canton.

Despite the loss of Community Energy Services, others will take up the slack, said Mr. Shipley, who also has his own electrical and energy-related business.

"It's not like the work doesn't continue," he said.