Energy Conservation Means Savings
CREATIVE FUNDS: Schools such as Booker T. Washington High School have been cutting back on energy this year. In just a few months, the initiative has saved more than $600,000.
The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education received welcome news that the district has saved more than $600,000, and reduced energy consumption by 18 percent, during the first few months of its energy conservation and management program.
“The energy conservation success we have realized so far at the start of the program is extremely good news,” says Dr. Keith Ballard, TPS superintendent. “This self-sufficient energy program is allowing us to keep our valued funds in the classroom instead of going to the utility companies.”
In a recent report to the school board, Trish Williams, the district’s chief financial officer, said savings figures and reduction in consumption are based on data contrasting June 2009 to June 2010. She highlighted areas of significant savings including setbacks on HVAC equipment, the use of timers on chillers and reminding employees to turn off lights and electrical equipment when they are not being used.
Williams lauded board members for their proactive decision to launch a rigorous energy conservation program and she praised the administration and staff in district schools for supporting the program.
“This investment in energy conservation is a tangible step to keep our taxpayer dollars in our schools,” she says. “All of us together are raising awareness about how we use our energy today as well as tomorrow, and that commitment is helping our district realize significant financial savings.”
She praised the district’s energy-education specialists-John Martin, Pete Worley and Tracy DeLaughter-for sparking the program into action.
“They work long hours, late at night, early in the morning, weekends and holidays,” Williams said. “They are the ones responsible for changing the way we use energy and keeping the classrooms comfortable so that we practice smart energy strategies and ensure we are successfully saving energy and money for many years to come.”
Bob LaBass, TPS director of bonds projects/energy management, directly works with Martin, Worley and DeLaughter.
“They are very conscientious,” LaBass says. “We are trying to make every effort to operate as efficiently as possible-trying to raise people’s awareness about energy efficiency and the costs involved. The fact is the bulk of our buildings were built when energy was cheap.”
The successful cost-saving program is implemented through a partnership with Energy Education, a leading conservation company that has saved more than $2 billion for educational and other organizations. Energy Education’s certified engineers and consultants work in the district, identifying energy-saving opportunities and training the energy-education specialists.
The energy-conservation program will end up saving TPS $30 million over the next decade, according to Mike Gullatt, Energy Education spokesman. “That’s a conservative estimate.” he said.
Updated 08-24-2010
Back to Top
READER COMMENTS
Back to Top
Contact GTR News
