What Happened?
In 2009, the Athens, Ohio, school system hired a consultant to deploy an energy-saving initiative throughout the district that resulted in a $260,000 reduction in utilities costs after one year of being implemented. Following the three-year mark, the group reported $284,310 in savings from September 2011 to August 2012.
How did they do it?
The district, like many across the country, was looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing services and amenities to students and staff. The energy-saving program focused on improvements and upgrades to lighting, heating and air-conditioning infrastructure, and efficient practices to reduce energy consumption and bills. Inefficient lighting fixtures and usage alone can account for 40 percent of utility bills. After the program was in place, one school saved $40,000 compared to the year prior through upgraded lighting.
Michigan project
Hopkins Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is also reaping the benefits of more energy-conscious behaviors. The school district is set to receive a $76,983 incentive rebate check from Consumers Energy for participating in the provider’s utility energy efficiency program. Michigan passed an energy reform law known as the Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act in 2008 which established new energy standards across the state. By 2015, the law requires Michigan electric providers to achieve at least 10 percent renewable energy, as well as reach other standards.
As a result, school districts and other public organizations are upgrading their utilities infrastructure and raking in the savings. The improvements to just building lighting in Hopkins Public Schools are expected to save the district $50,000 annually.
Developing a strategy
Other school districts and local governments are following suit, launching their own energy-saving programs to reduce costs and reach new standards. In Carver County, Minnesota, the Waconia School Board is teaming up with energy-efficiency consultants at McKinstry Essention to use cost savings, energy rebates and incentives to fund improvements throughout the district. The project will focus on $1.4 million in upgrades to infrastructure that aim to generate $118,000 in utility and operations savings annually, paying off the initial investment in 11 years. The freed up capital can then be used for other public projects to increase resources and opportunities for local students.
Implementing a program
The Environmental Protection Agency has drafted a guide to developing and deploying greenhouse gas emissions in K-12 schools. As part of its Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series, the EPA’s outline discusses a number of factors for local governments to look into before deploying an energy-saving initiative including:
- Project benefits
- Policy mechanisms
- Investments
- Key stakeholders
- Implementation considerations
- Cost and funding opportunities
- Programs and resources for technical assistance
- Examples and case studies
The guide offers suggestions on how to establish small, energy-saving projects, as well as create interrelated strategies to build cost-effective programs throughout a community for multiple benefits.
Other projects in progress
Gov1 has been closely covering energy-saving projects in various municipalities, such as green projects in building designs and the use of solar power to save taxpayer money and improve efficiency.