LBUSD tallies millions saved as schools earn Energy Star rank

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach Unified School District can now add energy conservation to its list of things to be thankful for this year.

The school district has saved $29million since 2003 as part of a major energy conservation effort, according to a recent LBUSD staff report.

All of the district's 84 schools have earned Energy Star Certification by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The certification is based on an international standard for energy efficiency.

With 84 sites certified, the state's third largest school district now boasts 30 percent of the Energy Star-certified schools in California, LBUSD officials said.

Buildings that earn the Energy Star use 35 percent less energy and generate 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than similar buildings across the nation.

LBUSD spokesman Chris Eftychiou said the district began its conservation efforts with the hiring of two full-time energy managers and the establishment of policies and guidelines aimed at reducing the usage of electricity, gas and water.

The effort has included tracking bills to spot anomalies and performing regular meter audits via a software program.

The school district also corrected billing errors, modified behaviors through reminder notes to employees, calibrated equipment and time of use for optimal efficiency and incorporated new technology including energy-efficient light bulbs and

Internet-controlled energy management systems.

"To have 84 schools recognized is absolutely amazing. Most school districts have a big celebration if one or two schools are recognized," LBUSD's Chief Business and Financial Officer James Novak told the school board.

In addition to saving millions of dollars, the conservation effort has prevented the emission of nearly 62,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent of not driving 11,000 cars for one year, according to the staff report.

Each newly certified school will receive a certificate to display in the front office.

kelly.puente@presstelegram.com, 562-714-2181

Source: http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_19616943?source=rss_viewed

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