For saving enough electricity in 13 months to effectively plant more than 53,000 trees, Putnam County Schools will be presented with The Award for Energy Stewardship from Energy Education, Inc. during the April 17 board meeting. The Award for Energy Stewardship recognizes the district’s efforts to implement an innovative people-oriented energy conservation and management program. The program is administered through a strategic alliance with Energy Education, Inc., a national company whose energy conservation programs have saved more than $1 billion for public school districts since 1986.
“Putnam County Schools, Superintendent Chuck Hatfield, the board members and administration are demonstrating wise fiscal and environmental stewardship by implementing this unique people-oriented energy conservation program,” says Dr. William S. Spears, CEO and Founder of Energy Education, Inc. “Using human resources to reduce energy use saves natural and financial resources for the school district and the community.”
The EPA estimates that every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity use avoided prevents the emission of 1.5 pounds of carbon dioxide, 5.8 grams of sulfur dioxide and 2.5 grams of nitrogen oxides. In the first 13 months of the program, Putnam County Schools saved 3,280,774 kWh, the equivalent of 2,073 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, 449 passenger cars not driven for a year, 236,105 gallons of gasoline or 53,154 tree seedlings grown for 10 years. And these figures don’t include the other energy types conserved by the program.
“This energy program is an excellent vehicle to assist our district personnel in practicing good stewardship of our resources. The willing participation of virtually every staff person — teachers, administrators, food service, maintenance and custodial people — adds to our success,” says Harold "Chuck" Hatfield, Superintendent.
District Energy Educator Manager Gary Sigman, Jr., is receiving intensive training from Energy Education, Inc. specialists to implement conservation procedures in all district facilities. He conducts energy audits to ensure that students and teachers are comfortable during class times and scheduled activities, and that energy is used only as necessary. He works hard to motivate everyone in the district to use energy wisely, keep classrooms comfortable, and practice smart energy strategies.
Energy Education, Inc.’s innovative energy conservation program is a win-win alliance that trains client personnel to create substantial energy savings, and is funded solely by the savings the program generates. Organizations can redirect additional saved energy dollars to educational resources. Energy Education, Inc. has worked with more than 810 educational organizations across the nation, positively impacting the educational environment of ten million children and helping clients save more than $1.2 billion in 20 years.
