Energy Efficiency Grant to Improve Facilities
February 08, 2010
The Port Angeles School District was one of 59 school districts in Washington State to receive an Energy Grant funded by the Washington State legislature and administered by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). OSPI noted almost $17 million will be distributed for “projects that include upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, repair and upgrade of controls, and replacement of inefficient lighting.”
The District will receive $285,000 for heating replacements at Roosevelt Elementary and a boiler replacement at Dry Creek Elementary. Lighting systems at Jefferson Elementary, Dry Creek Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, Stevens Middle School and Lincoln High School will be upgraded. In addition, water conservation retrofits will be performed on sinks at several schools throughout the District.
OSPI noted, “To qualify for the funds, districts were required to conduct audits of the school facilities to identify projects that could demonstrate guaranteed energy savings. The districts also had to show what local financial resources they had for the project.”
Nolan Duce, supervisor of maintenance and technology for the District, explained, “The total cost of the project is $716,712. We’ll use $312,136 dollars of District funds, or 44% of the total cost. The guaranteed annual utility savings is $34,261. This conservation measure will save electricity, propane and water while providing a better educational space for students and staff.”
“OSPI estimates that “the projects will save almost $2.01 million in energy costs each year. In units of energy – primarily electricity and natural gas – the savings can be compared to the annual energy use in 2,700 average Washington homes.”
At a January 19 School Board study session Executive Director of Business and Operations James Schwob referenced a June 15, 2009 Long Range Facilities and Capital Bond Committee Report, saying, “In general, all school and District support facilities are aged but have been well maintained….” See Parents, Committees and Task Forces/Long-Range Facilities and Capital Bond Committee at www.portangelesschools.org to view the full report.