Stoneham Submits $5.9 Million Federal Rebate Claim for High School Geothermal System

STONEHAM — October 27, 2025 — Stoneham School Building Committee approves $1.8 million in payments and advances $5.9 million federal energy rebate claim. At its October 27 meeting, the committee unanimously approved invoices totaling over $1.5 million — including a revised Consigli Construction warrant of $562,766.89 and a $45,450 Perkins and Will payment — along with Change Order Number 49 valued at $304,440.37 and SMMA's OPM Amendment Number 12 for $308,080.80. The headline item was a $5.9 million Inflation Reduction Act direct-pay rebate application, submitted to the IRS through tax consultant Clifton Larson Allen, based on an eligible geothermal energy project cost of just under $25 million. Superintendent Dennis told the committee the funds, if approved, would be applied against principal and interest on the high school project's debt exclusion. Building Manager Brian McNeil reported the school's Energy Use Intensity has dropped from roughly 60 EUI at opening to 40 EUI, with a target of 25 EUI needed to unlock an additional MassSave incentive; the rooftop solar system installed by Nexamp is on track to be fully operational by March 1, 2026.