Commack School District's EPC: Let's Start Phase III

To the Editor of the Commack Patch,

Each and every day, schools burn an exorbitant amount of fossil fuels in order to foster learning environments that develop students into our future world leaders. Not only does non-renewable energy generation put strain on already tight budgets, but it also contributes to the climate change problems that students are groomed to fight against in the future. Therefore, given the availability of technology that can harness renewable energy sources, many modern school systems can be perceived as hypocritically designed. However, through an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) with energy service companies Sunrise Power Solutions and Johnson Controls, the Commack School District has dismantled its own hypocritical system…for the most part.

Energy performance contracting allows school districts to partner with energy service companies that can reduce their carbon footprint. Unlike many other capital projects, EPCs do not require voter approval or funding through higher taxes. Instead, EPCs allow future energy savings to pay for the present day upgrades. There’s no catch…

As a member of the Commack community, I am proud to see the Commack School District moving in the right direction, aiming for a healthier future. In Phase II of Commack’s EPC, rooftop solar panels were installed at Rolling Hills Primary School, Indian Hollow Primary School, North Ridge Primary School, and Commack High School. At Commack Middle School, a solar carport system was installed.

When planning for this phase of the EPC, the Commack School District estimated that their annual baseline energy consumption from the burning of fossil fuels was 7.5M kWh. Through their newly installed 4,969.565 kW solar energy system and other EPC upgrades, the district, along with Sunrise Power Solutions and Johnson Controls, estimated that they would save roughly 6M kWh each year. This is a districtwide kWh reduction of about 80%.

Some may think that we as a community have done our part. 80% is enough right? Why waste time and resources installing more solar panels?

In 2021, Steven Hartman, who is now the Vice President of the Commack School District Board of Education, proclaimed, “As leaders in the community, we in the Commack School District have a responsibility to monitor and mitigate our impact on the environment.” This mentality has brought us to where we are, but it is important to remember that true leaders continue to inspire change. If we want other districts to follow in our footsteps, we cannot be satisfied. Saving the planet is a never-ending pursuit. Let's start Phase III of our EPC and install solar carports and rooftop panels at Burr Intermediate School, Sawmill Intermediate School, and Wood Park Primary School. Let’s show Long Island school districts what 100% clean energy consumption looks like!

Sincerely,

Matthew Major