Oregon District To Save $132,000 Annually with Energy Upgrades

Oregon's South Lane School District has agreed to a $2.1 million energy savings performance contract (ESPC) designed to reduce energy costs by approximately $132,000 each year.

The agreement, with Ameresco, will guarantee the savings and upgrade eight schools and five support buildings. In preparation for the upgrades, the company audited the buildings, comprising almost 480,000 square feet of space, for energy efficiency. The buildings include:

In addition to the annual savings, "the district expects to leverage the energy savings of the project to secure approximately $127,470 in utility incentives from Lane Electric and Emerald People's Utility District, and $439,000 in Senate Bill 1149 funding," according to a news release.

"Partnering with Ameresco is enabling the district to fund the much needed infrastructure upgrades and innovative energy saving projects in 13 of our facilities without incurring additional capital cost to our taxpayers," said Krista Parent, superintendent at South Lane, in a prepared statement. "The project, underway since August of this year, is improving the performance of our buildings and lowering our operating costs, while also supporting our sustainability initiatives by reducing our carbon footprint."

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Abstract geometric pattern with interconnected nodes and lines

    Microsoft 365 Copilot Updates Offer Expanded AI Capabilities, Collaboration Tools

    Microsoft has announced updates to its Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant, including expanded AI capabilities in individual apps, the ability to create autonomous agents, and a new AI-powered collaboration workspace.

  • An open book with text transforming into smooth lines represents reading ease

    Fluency Innovator Grants to Award Free Subscriptions to WordFlight Literacy Intervention Solution

    The call for applications is now open for Foundations in Learning's Fall 2024 Fluency Innovator Grants program. Teachers and administrators from schools and districts serving grades 3-8 may apply to receive a free subscription to WordFlight, a literacy assessment and intervention solution for students with deficits in reading fluency and comprehension, for the Fall 2024 semester.

  • AI-themed background with sparse circuit lines and minimal geometric shapes

    Microsoft to Introduce AI Agent Building Tools in Copilot Studio

    In November, Microsoft plans to roll out a public preview of a new feature within Copilot Studio, allowing users to create autonomous AI "agents" designed to handle routine tasks.

  • landscape photo with an AI rubber stamp on top

    California AI Watermarking Bill Supported by OpenAI

    OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, is backing a California bill that would require tech companies to label AI-generated content in the form of a digital "watermark." The proposed legislation, known as the "California Digital Content Provenance Standards" (AB 3211), aims to ensure transparency in digital media by identifying content created through artificial intelligence. This requirement would apply to a broad range of AI-generated material, from harmless memes to deepfakes that could be used to spread misinformation about political candidates.