developing an energy and sustainability policy for harnett county schools

DEVELOPING AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY POLICY FOR HARNETT COUNTY SCHOOLS

Overview

Why Create An Energy Policy? Background of Harnett County Schools

Energy Usage Utility Bills Overhills High & Triton High Energy Trends

Steps Involved In Creating An Energy Policy

Case Studies Cumberland County Schools Nash-Rocky Mount School System

Broad Goals

Purpose of an Energy Policy

To set in place a series of standardized practices in our schools that, when followed, will decrease energy usage and costs, and minimize our impact on the environment.

Why Create an Energy Policy? Demonstrate Leadership

Show responsible stewardship of public resources

Reduce Energy Costs Simple behavioral changes can reduce

energy consumption by up to 25% Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and

Other Environmental Impacts

Background: Harnett County Schools 27 schools Over 18,000 students Total utility costs for 2009… over

$3.56 million $187 per student

Overhills High School Energy Usage

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kWh

3,064,000 kWh in 2009

Overhills High School Energy Usage

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$)$271,427 in 2009

Triton High School Energy Usage

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2,304,185 kWh in 2009

Triton High School Energy Usage

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08

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Feb-0

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$)$201,179 in 2009

Steps Involved in Creating and Implementing an Energy Policy

1. Make a Commitment

Dedication by BOE and Administration BOE has authorized development of this

policy Form a Dedicated Energy Team at Each

School Include Administration, Teachers,

Custodians, Students, Parents

2. Assess Current Performance Data Collection and Management

Document energy usage over time Baselining and Benchmarking

Determine a starting point Compare your facilities to others

Analysis and Evaluation Become familiar with energy trends Evaluate performance of systems

3. Set Goals

Determine Scope Non-negotiable Site Specific Energy Team Options

Estimate Potential for Improvement Establish Goals

Clear and Measurable Set Milestones

4. Create Action Plan

Define Technical Steps and Targets Gaps between current performance and

goals? Determine Roles and Resources

Who will be involved and how? Formulate an Energy Policy that:

States an Objective Establishes Accountability Ensures Continuous Improvement Promotes Goals

5. Implement Action Plan

Communication Raise Awareness Move Toward Participation By All Motivate Track and Monitor

6. Evaluate Progress

Measure Results Does current performance match the goals

you set? Review the Action Plan

Was your Energy Policy effective? What needs to change? What should stay the same?

7. Recognizing Achievements Internal Recognition

Identify schools or individuals that went above and beyond.

Financial Awards External Recognition

Do any schools qualify for Energy Star Certification or other national programs?

Cumberland County Schools

Adopted “Go Green Initiative” in August 2009.

Three CCS schools were officially recognized as “Certified Green Schools” on February 2, 2010 by Sustainable Sandhills.

Some steps taken by the schools to achieve this certification include: Expanding Green Teams Eliminated unnecessary subscriptions to catalogs Developed and implemented an internal energy

audit Installed a rain barrel Planted a garden at the science classroom Enhanced recycling programs

Nash-Rocky Mount School System District serves over 18,000 students with

29 facilities (similar to Harnett). Assessed energy performance in all

facilities starting in 2006. By 2008 had improved energy

performance by 25% and become a Top Performer in the Energy Star Program.

Nash-Rocky Mount School System In just 3 ½ years:

$3,159,819 in cost avoidance savings. $192,768 in hard dollars saved. $178,074 in billing errors found.

Environmental Impact Highest total energy reduction – 28% 21,742,044 kWh reduction Equivalent to avoided emissions of 3,096

cars per year

The Small Stuff Adds Up

One coffee maker (900W) can cost around $54/year to use.

Each miniature refrigerator (145W) can cost around $127/year.

Personal Computers (120W CPU, 150W monitor) can cost $48/year.

The Small Stuff Adds Up

1,241 teachers in the Harnett County School System 2009-2010.

If everyone has a PC…$59,586/year If only half have mini fridges…

$78,803/year If there is one coffee maker for every 10

teachers…$6,704/year $145,093/year total

Turn Out The Lights!

Lighting accounts for around 20% of energy use in schools.

Turning off lights in unoccupied rooms can save 8-10% of lighting energy per year (US DOE).

$3,566,272 x 20% = $713,254 8-10% = $57,060 - $71,325 per year.

How Much Can We Save?

2009 School System Energy Costs - $3,566,272

If we save 5% - $178,313 If we save 10% - $356,627 If we save 20% - $713,254

How Can We Save 10%?

Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Turn off computers when not in use, and make

sure they enter “sleep mode” after 15-20 minutes. Encourage staff to remove mini-fridges. Bring

lunch bags with ice packs, or use break room refrigerators.

Reduce the number of coffee machines. Make sure windows and doors are closed and

sealed properly. Check for unnecessary plug loads and phantom

plug loads. Make sure nothing is blocking air vents. Vending machines.

Very Easily… And At No Cost!

Next Steps…

We are currently working on Steps 1 and 2 Make a commitment by forming dedicated energy

teams at each school Data Collection, Baselining, Benchmarking, Energy

Trend Analysis Start setting reasonable goals and milestones

What areas will we focus on? When do we want to see results?

Questions… Ideas… Second Meeting…

Resources

Go Green Initiative - http://www.gogreeninitiative.org/

Cumberland County Schools Go Green Checklist - http://www.sustainablesandhills.org/docs/CCSGoGreenInitiativeChecklist2010-03-09.pdf

Energy Star Program for K-12 Schools - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=k12_schools.bus_schoolsk12

EPA Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools - http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/documents/pdf/k-12_schools.pdf

Energy Star Guidelines for Energy Management - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=guidelines.guidelines_index