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Pennsylvania Schools Push for Energy Efficiency
Indiana Area School District (IASD) is moving forward with plans for $16 million in energy-efficiency improvements to its schools, maintenance buildings, and administrative buildings. The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013.
Following a competitive request for proposal process, the district selected Constellation, a retail supplier of power, natural gas, and energy products and services, to engineer and implement energy efficiency, water conservation, and building infrastructure upgrades to help the district reduce operating costs and increase the lifespan of its buildings.
As part of the agreement, the district entered into an energy performance contract (EPC) with Constellation. The EPC guarantees that the upgrades and conservation measures will save the district $5.6 million over 15 years, and the district reported that it will save approximately 919,000 gallons of water and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,656 metric tons over that time.
Infrastructure upgrades and conservation measures that Constellation will provide under the EPC include:
- Energy-efficient lighting and occupancy sensors;
- Low-flow toilets and faucets;
- HVAC replacements and direct digital controls upgrades;
- Building mechanical systems upgrades;
- Caulking and weather stripping;
- Roof replacements; and
- A program to educate students and energy conservation.
"This project will improve the operation and educational environment of our schools and equip them to function efficiently for the next 20 years," said Dale Kirsch, superintendent of IASD, in a prepared statement. "The EPC with Constellation allowed our school district to accelerate the timeframe for needed efficiency upgrades. By utilizing existing capital budgets, we are also able to undertake significant infrastructure replacements without additional taxpayer revenue."
The Indiana Area School District serves 3,000 students in Indiana County in Pennsylvania and operates four elementary schools, one junior high, and one senior high school.
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Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.