News
East Noble recognized for energy conservation efforts
12/1/2011
Author: Dennis Nartker
Published by: The News Sun
Energy Education has presented the East Noble school district and its energy education specialist, John Arnold, with its Award for Energy Stewardship for saving enough energy in 11 months to effectively plant more than 48,397 trees.
The award was announced at Wednesday night's East Noble school board meeting in Avilla Elementary School.
The award recognizes the school district's efforts to implement an innovative, district-wide, behavior-based energy conservation and management program administered through an alliance with Energy Education. The Dallas, Texas-based firm said it has saved more than $2.5 billion for educational and ministerial organizations since 1986.
"East Noble School Corporation is demonstrating wise fiscal and environmental stewardship by implementing this unique organizational, behavior-based energy conservation program," Energy Education chairman and founder Dr. William S. Spears said in a news release. "Using human resources to reduce energy use saves natural and financial resources for the organization and the community."
In August 2010, the East Noble school board hired hired Energy Education on a four-year contract at $120,000 a year to find ways to reduce the school district's $1 million annual utility bill. Arnold, a former East Noble Alternative Learning Center principal, was hired as a part-time energy specialist to oversee the program in consultation with Energy Education. Arnold conducts energy audits to ensure students and faculty are comfortable during class times and scheduled activities, and that energy is used only as necessary.
In pitching a proposal to trustees, Energy Education's vice-president for marketing at the time, David Glessner, guaranteed the school district could save 20 to 30 percent per year on its utility costs with enough savings in four years to cover the cost of the contract, or his firm would cover the costs.
Electricity accounts for about 57 percent of East Noble's utility costs, with about 40 percent for natural gas and approximately 4 percent for water and sewer services, according to Arnold. In the first 12 months of the program, the electrical cost savings was $108,256, he reported in September. Energy Education's energy conservation guidelines focus on unoccupied time in the district's buildings. Students in the classroom are not affected, school officials said.
Energy Education consultants trained school building custodians in ways to save energy.
East Noble's energy savings program delivers an environmental benefit from a reduced carbon footprint, Energy Education said. Energy not used prevents the emission of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. According to Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Education grid figures, the school corporation saved the equivalent of 1,892 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions - or 340 cars removed from the road, or 48,397 pine trees grown for 10 years.
"This energy program is an excellent vehicle to assist our personnel in practicing good stewardship of our resources," said East Noble superintendent Ann Linson. "The willing participation of virtually every staff person adds to our success." Back to Top