Today the lights went out in the hallways in my school at 11 a.m. Students and teachers alike peered into the hallways, wondering what malfunction had occurred. Students everywhere buzzed about the possibility of school being let out early due to a power failure. However, once I checked my email, I learned that the hall lights were turned off from 11-12 a.m. in an effort to save energy costs. This decree was handed down from one of the powers that be in Albany. Oddly enough, a follow-up email from my administrator made it seem like this would be an isolated event. So, what would be the actual savings if they made this a daiy event in all school districts in New York state? It's hard to tell, but let's take a look at some Minnesota schools to see what they're doing to save on their energy costs.
In some Minnesota school districts, students, teachers, administrators and custodians have taken the initiative to turn off lights in rooms that are empty, turn off computers when they're not in use, and to turn their thermostats down to 68 degrees in an effort to save energy and money. According to the Southwestern Review News, "The costs of lighting, heating and cooling schools are so vast in school districts that the cost of energy is second only to staff salaries, and exceeds the cost of supplies and books."
Many Minnesota schools have implimented the SEE Program (Schools for Efficient Energy), which focuses "on low and no-cost energy efficient strategies, the districts enrolled in this program strive to reduce their energy use by 10 percent and achieve 'Energy Star' status. The 'Energy Star' award program is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. District 197 received 'Energy Star' status in 2004; it was the first to receive this award in Minnesota and the 10th in the nation."
By following the guidelines of the SEE program, "the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan district has saved $330,000 in energy costs. This past spring, the district saved $34,000 in a single quarter, of which $10,000 came just from Heritage Elementary." Sounds like a pretty bright idea.
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