Sarasota school district celebrates Earth Day with $13 million in energy savings

While the world celebrated Earth Day on April 22, the is celebrating almost $13.5 million in energy savings and cost avoidance through its active conservation program. The program has achieved these savings through a 23-percent reduction in energy use since it began in 2007.

     The savings also translate into significant numbers in terms of energy conservation. In the past five years the school district has reduced energy consumption by almost 400,000 MMBTUs (MMBTU = one million metric British thermal units). That reduction translates into the equivalent of 69,145 tons of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, 12,411 passenger cars removed from the road, or 1,768,585 trees planted.

     “It’s important for all of us to save energy,” said Alisha Burris, one of two energy managers for the school district. “While most of the time we discuss it in terms of saving money, for Earth Day and throughout the year we encourage all employees to be concerned about our natural resources.”

     Energy Manager Jon Hampton added, “Being good stewards of both the taxpayers’ money and the environment gives everyone in the school district a great sense of satisfaction.”

     Among the most significant items in the school district’s operating budget is the cost of utilities; the prices for electricity, natural gas, heating oil and water have steadily increased over the past few years. To combat these rising energy and utility costs, the district entered into a partnership with Energy Education, a consultant to public school districts, to implement a comprehensive organizational-behavior based energy conservation program throughout all its buildings and campuses.

     The school district’s energy conservation program is projected to save $31,299,000 through the first 10 years of its energy conservation program. The amount is equal to the average annual salary and benefits of approximately 450 teaching positions in the school district. The program will help save taxpayer dollars, jobs and educational programs while conserving natural resources.