BISD conservation program earns environmental award

For saving enough electricity in five years to effectively plant more than 59,000 trees, Brownsboro Independent School District will be presented with The Award for Energy Stewardship from Energy Education, Inc. during the March 10 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 $1.4 billion for educational organizations since 1986.

"Brownsboro ISD Superintendent Elton Caldwell, the board members and administration are demonstrating wise fiscal and environmental stewardship by implementing this unique people-oriented energy conservation program, " said 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 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 63 months of the program, Brownsboro ISD saved 3,663,834 kWh, the equivalent of 2,316 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, 501 passenger cars not driven for a year, 263,672 gallons of gasoline, or 59,360 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, secretaries, aides, food service, maintenance and custodial people -- adds to our success," said Caldwell.

District Energy Educator/ Manager Kevin McCarthy received 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. "I am so proud of all of our employees because they make Brownsboro ISD the leader in Energy Conservation," said McCarthy.

Energy Education, Inc.'s innovative energy conservation program is a win-win alliance that trains personnel to create substantial energy savings, and is funded solely by the savings the program generates. Clients can redirect additional saved energy dollars to educational resources.

Energy Education, Inc. has worked with more than 875 educational organizations across the nation, positively impacting the educational environment of over 12 million children and helping its clients save more than $1.4 billion in 21 years.