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

3,064,000 kWh in 2009

$271,427 in 2009

2,304,185 kWh in 2009

$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  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  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  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 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 -  Cumberland County Schools Go Green Checklist - veChecklist pdf veChecklist pdf  Energy Star Program for K-12 Schools - olsk12 olsk12  EPA Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools _schools.pdf 12_schools.pdf  Energy Star Guidelines for Energy Management - _index _index