NORMAN — NOBLE – Noble Public Schools announced this week that the district has saved more than $144,429 in the first year of its energy conservation and management program. The successful cost-saving program is implemented through a partnership with Energy Education, a leading behavioral and people-focused energy conservation company.
In addition, the energy conservation program has also impacted the community with savings of 1,094,756 kWh in electricity and 49,050 Therms of natural gas. These savings are equal to 1,083 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, or 194 autos off the highway annually, or more than 27,691 tree seedlings planted and grown in 10 years.
Together with Energy Education, the faculty and staff of Noble Public Schools has built a customized, sustainable energy conservation program that reduces consumption of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water through changes in organizational and human behavior. The program, implemented throughout the district, includes hundreds of conservation recommendations, followed by a powerful and complex methodology that includes assessment and planning, coordination and communication, leadership and focus, and measurement and verification. Energy Education’s conservation experts are working closely with district personnel to audit buildings and to train personnel to control energy use wherever possible. After only one year of implementation, the district has saved 29.75 percent on overall energy costs.
“I am gratified by the energy conservation success we have realized. Our partnership with Energy Education has led to a dramatic change in how we view energy consumption. This program has taken us to a new level,” said Greg Kasbaum, superintendent of Noble Public Schools. “Our success is directly attributable to each and every member of our faculty and staff working as change agents, ensuring we use our resources responsibly. The dollars we’ve saved in just the first few months is a significant amount — it’s money we won’t have to cut from our budget.”
Jon Myers, who serves as the district director for professional development and curriculum, also serves as the energy education specialist for the district. He receives intensive training from Energy Education energy consultants to implement energy conservation behavior and procedures throughout the district. He conducts energy audits to ensure that students and teachers are comfortable during class time and scheduled activities, and that energy is used only as necessary.
To verify the program’s effectiveness and measure its success, Myers tracks energy consumption — including electricity, water, sewer and natural gas—using third-party energy-accounting software. The software compares current energy use to a baseline period and calculates the amount of energy that would have been used if conservation and management practices had not been implemented. It adjusts for weather, equipment additions or deletions, and changes in building use. By tracking consumption and analyzing energy use, the software helps the district and Energy Education quickly identify and correct energy consumption that needs to be addressed.
All costs of the Energy Education program come from the district’s existing utility budget, with savings guaranteed to more than pay for the program. Additional savings can be redirected to other parts of the district’s budget. Many districts have credited this program with helping keep personnel and maintain programs that otherwise would have fallen victim to budget cuts. In addition, the conservation program is sustainable for years. Energy Education provides free support after the paid term of the contract, as long as the district continues to implement the program.
The program is funded solely by the savings it generates, allowing clients to redirect saved energy dollars to other priorities. In 24 years, Energy Education has worked with more than 1,000 educational and ministry organizations, helping clients save over $2 billion in utility costs. Energy Education was named 2009 & 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
