Ferndale School District Cuts 21 Percent in Utility Costs with Energy Ed

Since partnering with Energy Education to reduce energy costs, Ferndale School District has been reaping the benefits, which include a savings of more than $750,000 in just three years, as well as a 21 percent reduction in utility costs.

Usually, schools budget for a predictable increase in utility costs each year, but working with Energy Education helped the district lessen their energy use to avoid that usual increase, so the schools have been spending the same, consistent amount of money on utilities per year. The cost of the program even comes from that same budget. This allows the schools to spend more money elsewhere—on teacher salaries, sports and tutoring programs, for example. The district began a four-year contract with the company in September 2007, and has since acquired a cost avoidance of nearly 26 percent, which equals almost $300,000. As part of the contract, Energy Ed provided EnergyCAP software that monitors and analyzes district energy use, as well as training for Tony Torretta, who oversees the energy management program. 

California Schools Cut Costs with Advertising, Energy Reductions

Partnering with Energy Education is one of the ways school districts such as California’s San Juan Unified and Sacramento City Unified have been cutting utility costs in an effort to save programs like sports and after-school clubs, and keep teachers employed. An article in the Sacramento Bee highlighted the program’s assistance—Energy Ed helped San Juan save 16 to 17 percent of the district’s annual energy bill. Following suit, Sacramento signed a 4 ½-year contract in 2009.

“If they are helping us save money, that helps us save jobs that keep teachers in classrooms and sports in schools,” Gabe Ross, district spokesman for Sacramento City Unified, told the publication.

The article also discussed how area school districts have begun looking into advertising as a way to raise much-needed funds. For the same cost-cutting reasons, the schools have also hired Education Funding Partners, a company that is trying to sign enough school districts to make advertising in gymnasiums and cafeterias attractive to big companies with larger allowances, like Apple, Sprint and Adidas. Schools are no strangers to advertising, but Education Funding Partners is hoping to bring it to a much larger scale—billboards, not yearbook ads. In light of recent budget cuts, schools could use the money, and districts are quickly becoming more receptive to alternative ideas for fundraising. 

New York School District Saves $1.5 Million with Energy Education

Energy Education presented East Greenbush Central School District with its Energy Excellence Award at a May 4 Board of Education Meeting. Through the partnership with Energy Ed, the district has seen $1,466,686 in cost savings in just the last 42 months. The savings come from implementing behavioral and organizational change to substantially reduce energy consumption.

“I am extremely pleased to present East Greenbush Central School District with our Energy Excellence Award,” said William S. Spears, chairman and founder of Energy Education, according to Albany’s Times Union. “The school district joins a very committed group of organizations across the country working hard to achieve energy savings so the dollars saved can be redirected to educational needs.”

The school district has succeeded in saving energy by tracking consumption and analyzing energy use, including monitoring electricity, water, sewer, natural gas and fuel oil, all using special energy-accounting software from Energy Education. The Energy Excellence Award is a national recognition, presented only to clients that have successfully saved at least $1 million by implementing an energy management plan.

Energy Education, Energy Star Focus Efforts on Orlando Church

Since it was founded in 1871, Orlando's First Baptist Church (FBC) has expanded several times and grown to 15,000 members, making energy costs all the more important—which is why Energy Education stepped in. By partnering with both Energy Star and and Energy Education, FBC Orlando hoped to tackle its rising utility costs, which were approaching $1 million per year.

By controlling costs, the church is free to put the additional savings toward domestic, local and foreign ministries and missions. FBC Orlando is the largest contributor to missions of any Southern Baptist congregation, donating $1.5 million each year. The church was also concerned about using nature's resources in the most efficient way possible, and is paying attention to adjusting temperatures and scheduling events so that certain locations' lights and climate control can be turned off when they're not in use. FBC Orlando is focusing on three specific areas: energy accounting, mechanical operation and energy awareness. This is what makes up the church's Energy Management Action Plan, which helped save more than $1 million between October 2008 and March 2011. It plans to save an additional million in even less time. The church was awarded the annual Energy Star Congregations Award in 2010, which encouraged the congregation to continue their energy-efficient path to even more savings.

Martinez Unified School District Launches Energy Ed Program

Today marks the first day of Energy Education’s partnership with California’s Martinez Unified School District. To help ensure the program runs smoothly, former Alhambra High School vice principal and District Bond Coordinator has been chosen for the role of Energy Education Specialist (EES). Energy Education will train Hillman to teach students and staff how to conserve energy, using a variety of technologies and software.

“The time has arrived for us to address savings at every level of the organization,” said Superintendent Rami Muth in an interview with Patch.com. “This people-oriented program helps us save using the systems and personnel already in place. Every dollar we don’t spend on energy is a dollar we save for educational purposes.”

The money that the school district spends on the program will be paid for through energy savings, according to Energy Education. Additional savings can be put back into the district’s budget for other uses, including teachers’ salaries, books and materials and after-school programs that would have otherwise been cut. Martinez Unified School District is located in Martinez, Calif. and includes four elementary schools, one middle school and high school, two alternative and independent study schools, as well as one school for adult education. 

Lights Out at California's Mira Costa High School

During the daytime and into the early evening, high schools are lively with students rushing to and from classes, meetings and sports practices, but what about the sleepy hours leading up to dawn? Not so much. After teaming up with Energy Education Inc., California’s Mira Costa High School has begun an interior dark campus policy that minimizes the number of parking and perimeter lights that are left on between midnight and 5 a.m.

The policy may also help decrease unlawful trespassing and vandalism, as anyone who sees suspicious activity during those hours is asked to report it to the police immediately. The local police department has also been informed of the change in policy. As one of the largest schools in the district, Mira Costa High School’s utility costs reach $185,000 yearly. Since working with Energy Education Inc., the district has cut down on its energy costs by $10,000 per month. 

Celebrate Earth Day with Good News from Virginia

Happy Earth Day! For students of Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Va., it’s an especially happy Earth Day, in light of news that the school district was named an Energy Star Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency for the second year in a row. With help from Energy Education Inc., the schools saved more than $323,000 in 2010 alone.

“They’re now spending money on textbooks and teachers, instead of energy bills. Teachers and textbooks are certainly where education dollars belong,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Bon Perciasepe to the Washington Examiner.

Energy Education Inc. has been working with Loudoun since June of 1993, accumulating a savings of $29,861,725 through January 2011. For nearly two decades, the program has helped spread energy awareness and make Loudoun one of Energy Ed’s greatest success stories. Loudoun County Public Schools are home to 63,220 students and 76 schools.

Energy Education Helps Troup County Schools Cut Back

Since Georgia’s Troup County schools began working with Energy Education Inc., the school system has saved more than $331,000 and reduced its energy consumption by 14,226 BTUs. What does that mean? Equate it with 1,881 tons of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere or 48,122 tree seedlings grown for 10 years. Over nine months, the school system reduced its energy use by 16 percent.

The energy savings are just in time for tomorrow’s Earth Day, but Energy Education Inc. is eager to remind people to continue energy-saving efforts year-round.

“It’s important for all of us to save energy,” said Sandy Melton, an Energy Education specialist, in an interview with WLTX 38 NBC. “While most of the time we discuss it in terms of saving money, for Earth Day we encourage you to be concerned with our natural resources. Being good stewards of both our money and our environment gives us a great sense of satisfaction.”

With rising prices of electricity, natural gas, heating oil and water, utility costs are an issue of focus for the Troup County School System. The energy program is projected to help the school system save $7.6 million during the first 10 years. This will save taxpayer dollars as well as teachers’ jobs, and allow the schools to hang onto important programs.   

$4.4 Million Cut Away From Energy Bill

It was five years ago that the Sheboygan Area School District entered a contract with energy conservation company Energy Education Inc. Since then it has saved close to $4.4 million in energy costs through the just-terminated energy just-concluded energy savings program. Compared to the district’s energy costs of $2.325 million in 2005 it has changed to $2.125 million in 2010. According to the district coordinator of facilities services, Dave Albright, these numbers are important but the main attention should be paid to the district’s ‘cost avoidance.’ He explained that this term stands for “what you would have paid or consumed if you had not used an energy savings plan.” Through the contract and help from Energy Education Inc. this cost avoidance increased from approximately $500,000 in 2006 to above $1 million in 2010.

But what will happen now? The contract between the Sheboygan Area School District and Energy Education Inc. has ended but Albright will still focus on making a change to the environment and to the district’s energy consumption. Even though energy education specialist Gene Gasper has retired and will not return to her position, the district will continue the energy savings program and keep taking advantage of the positive changes it has already brought to staff and schools.

Click here to view the original article on Energy Education Inc. and Sheboygan Area School District.

Rocklin Elementary School Is Looking For Quality Person For Energy Education Specialist

Rocklin Elementary School is seeing some drastic changes to its current staff. Teachers become leaders and new employees are hired to take on important and responsibility heavy roles. One of these future positions to be filled is and Energy Education Specialist who will work closely with the district and with energy-saving company Energy Education Inc. This newly created position is required for the partnership between Rocklin Elementary School and Energy Education Inc. as he or she will be responsible for monitoring the school’s and its employees’ energy consumption. The individual will have to be flexible in regards to working hours as weekends, evenings and holiday work is included in the job description.

Bob Lee, assistant superintendent of human resources with Rocklin Unified, mentioned that the salary of approximately $68,000 to $80,000 was going to play a significant role in finding the right person for the position. “(They are) strategies that would attract the best person for the position,” he said. Board President Greg Daley agreed and explained the importance of “getting quality people in quality positions.” “The better the energy specialist person we have, the more money we will save,” he added.

Click here to view the original article on Energy Education Inc. and Rocklin Elementary School.

Milford School District To Save $6.5 Million With Help From Energy Education Inc.

The Milford School Board decided 5-3 on entering a partnership with energy education company, Energy Education Inc. Through this partnership the district is expecting to save $6.5 million over a ten-year period. In order to monitor energy consumption and keep a close eye on how to decrease it custodial union President James R. Whitaker was employed and named the school district’s new energy coordinator. Whitaker is looking forward to this opportunity as he approaches methods to save energy costs and with that taxpayers’ money. He will be required to take his job beyond the regular 9-to-5-job to make sure that during day and nighttime energy conservation strategies are executed correctly. His salary will amount to $74,000 annually. Energy Education Inc. will train Whitaker and make sure he is well prepared to take on the new task.

According to Energy Education Inc.’s Vice President Chuck Fasnacht the school has agreed to provide his company with 12 percent of the total savings. During the first year he is expecting to save approximately $183,000 and in the case this goal is not reached, it will make up the difference between the savings and the school district’s expenses.

Click here to view the original article on Energy Education Inc. and Milford school district.

Flushing Community Schools save more than $1 million with Energy Education's help

Flushing Community Schools is one of the 90 school districts that partner with energy consulting company Energy Education Inc. Since the beginning of its partnership in August 2007, it has saved more than $1.3 million on energy expenses. The energy consulting company focuses on creating and developing customized conservation programs for large churches, universities and schools. With cutting approximately 38 percent off its energy bill the Flushing School District was able to position itself as number two, just behind the Lowell Area Schools in the list of 90 districts partnering with Energy Education Inc.

Director of public relations for Energy Education Inc., Jan Noel-Smith, underlines that the district and its people can be proud of their accomplishments. “(Flushing employees) really have a lot to be commended for. In this climate we certainly have to save energy to save money. Flushing has obviously done a stellar job of that.” According to Paul Martin, energy manager for the district’s schools explained that the biggest reason for this success is the cooperation between faculty and staff. With small steps, by turning off lights, by shutting doors, and by shutting off computers at the end of the day energy savings accrue every day.

Click here to view the original article on Energy Education Inc.

Energy Education Inc. Honors Little Lake City School District

The national energy conservation company Energy Education Inc. awarded Little Lake City School District with its Environmental Excellence Award at its board meeting on January 11^th. The district saved 32 percent of its costs equaling $353,343 over the past year. Energy-efficient practices enforced through a partnership with Energy Education Inc. were only the initial step that led to the successful numbers. According to chairman and founder of Energy Education, Dr. William S. Spears, the district worked exceptionally well at implementing the energy conscious principles established by his company. “Reaching this level of savings at this stage of the program is a significant achievement,” he said. “Little Lake City School District has done an excellent job of implementing Energy Education’s people-oriented approach to energy conservation.”

The school district also expresses its pride by highlighting the efforts and the commitment of all district staff. Phil Perez, District Superintendent, expressed that their initiative did not only result in cost savings but also in positive contributions to the environment. “It is truly the result of the commitment and cooperative efforts of all district staff. What was born of a need to reduce our expenditures in response to the state’s fiscal crisis has evolved into a district-wide initiation resulting in an improved environment as well as real dollars saved.”

Energy Education Inc has not only had an enormous impact on Little Lake City School District but also on 1,100 organizations and schools since it was founded 24 years ago. It has generated savings of more than $2.2 billion, is funded purely by these savings, and was elected in 2009 and 2010 as the Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Click here to read the original article on Energy Education Inc.

Conservation Program Saving Energy Dollars

Manchester Township School District administration gave an astonishing announcement at their Board of Education meeting on January 19^th, 2011. Due to an energy conservation program, established through a partnership with Energy Education Inc., it has saved more than $577,500 since the beginning of the contract 17 months ago. The leading people-focused and behavioral energy conservation company Energy Education Inc. has a successful track record of saving more than $2 billion for complex and educational organizations so far.

The district’s Energy Education Specialist, Jessica Brosnan, explained the positive consequences working with Energy Education have brought the district. “The energy conservation program has impacted our community with savings of 2.8 million kWh in electricity, 19.3 thousand Therms of natural gas and 880 gallons of fuel oil,” she said. “These savings are equal to 1,821 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, or 327 autos off the highway annually or over 46,000 tree seedlings planted and grown in ten years.” The partnership implemented a sustainable and customized energy conservation program, which builds on changes in human and organizational behavior. It focuses on reducing natural gas, fuel, electricity and water consumption by taking care of how much and what time they are used.

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CCPSD and Energy Education Inc. save more than $1 million on energy expenses

Carroll County Public School Division (CCPSD) has saved more than one million dollars on energy costs by employing energy conservation and education company Energy Education Inc. In the year 2003 till 2004 the division spent more than $550,000 on expenses related to energy. In this year it initialized the contact with Energy Education Inc. to implement its Cost Avoidance Program (CAP) software to be able to record and follow what was spent as well as how one could avoid those expenses. Its goal was to save resources and to decrease the budget cost for its energy consumption.

According to Bob Martin, coordinator of Energy Conservation, the energy consumption of the schools has declines significantly and monitoring them has made the CAP program a long lasting success. It did not only meet expectations but exceeded them by almost 100%. “Implementing the program has saved CCPSD over $1,000,000 in energy costs since November 2003. Our goal of a 10% savings that first year ended up being 18%.  The Carroll County Division budget for energy is now over 1 million per year; however, our schools are running a 19% savings per year,” said Martin.

Click here to view the original article on Energy Education Inc. and CCPSD.

Savings From NACS Exceed Expectations

Over the period of one year Northwest Allen County Schools were able to save approximately $700,000 in utility costs. Methods to get to that point were closing doors to keep the heat inside, adjusting the hours buildings are being heated and lid as well as shutting off the light when one left the room. These small changes were a consequence of the help of Energy Education Inc., an energy education company, which helps large churches, universities, colleges and school districts, reduce their utility consumption and with that, their utility bill. The school board hired the company in 2009 leading to employing Dave Hey, the former Carroll High School Athletic Director, as the energy education liaison with the Dallas based company.

Energy Education Inc guaranteed the school board that if the savings are not as high as the costs. It would make up the difference from its own pocket. The primary reason for utilizing Energy Education’s services was to save money but another major reason included raising awareness on how much they would contribute to the environment. The savings the school made added up to preventing 6,044 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Next to decreasing the amount of CO2 these savings are also equivalent to removing 1,085 automobiles from the streets for an entire year. These results are significant compared to the small changes taken. “You’re just not cognizant of these things until something like this comes along.” Hey Dave Hey was astonished by these numbers.

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