Date:  March 31, 2003
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

 Since its inception in FY 1995, Prince William County Public Schools’ Energy Management and Conservation Program has saved more than $3.5 million in potential energy costs, of which nearly $1.7 million has been rebated to schools for use in educational and support programs.  Last year, fifty-two schools shared a total of $181,664 in rebates in this optional program. The schools being recognized today for outstanding success in this program have developed their own ways of conserving energy.  At Bel Air Elementary School, they have been very conscientious about energy conservation, said Richard Carter, Principal.  It has become a school wide effort.  Custodians reduced the amount of light in hallways.  Last summer new light fixtures were installed with energy-saving light bulbs.  Lights are also turned off in teacher workrooms and classrooms when they are not being used and a special effort is made to keep doors and windows closed.  Bel Air’s Ecology Club centers activities around school conservation efforts.  Bel Air’s efforts this year resulted in cost avoidance of $10,980, which, with adjustments for the presence of a special childcare program located in the school, translates to a rebate of $5,490.  Bel Air has used previous rebates to purchase instructional material for the students and support their Ecology  Club.

 At Beville Middle School, Principal Dominick Graziano credits the efforts made by staff to conserve energy.  They check for leaky faucets, monitor water use in classrooms, turn off lights in classrooms when not in use, inspect weather stripping, utilize shades to either cool or heat rooms, and purchase energy efficient copiers.  Conserving energy at Beville is a group effort and there is a general awareness of energy use throughout the day.  This year, Beville Middle will receive a rebate of $6,390, based on cost avoidance of $12,780.  The school is planning to use their rebate check on custodial safety equipment and upgrading instructional technology hardware.  

 At Gar-Field High School light bulbs have been removed in non-instructional areas to take advantage of natural lighting and lights are turned off in areas not in use.  Caulking and weather stripping have been added around doors.  Wall-mounted heating units located near outside doors have been disconnected and air conditioning is turned off in the building over holidays.  According to Principal Roger Dallek, the teachers and evening custodians are attentive in ensuring that all lights are turned off when not in use and doors are tightly secured.  He credits his staff for teaching their students the importance of conserving energy and preserving natural resources.  Gar-Field will receive a rebate of $13,548 this year, based on cost avoidance of $27,096.  For the last two years, Gar-Field has used the money to replace the carpeting in all the main halls on the upper level, the auditorium, the main office and in some classrooms.  This year a portion of the money will be used towards a Dilution Control Command Center.  This measures and distributes the chemicals and supplies the Gar-Field staff uses daily.  The remaining rebate funds will be used towards off-setting the cost of a new street sweeper.

Energy costs that rose nearly 25 percent in the early 1990s and projections of continuing increases led school officials to seek solutions.  In July of 1993, a pilot Energy Conservation and Cost Saving Program was implemented at six schools.  These six schools were chosen because they were the highest users of energy and thus represented the best opportunity for savings.  A study conducted at that time showed, not surprisingly, that the majority of energy dollars were spent on electricity, or about eighty percent of total energy expenditures, said Tom Colbert, Energy Management Coordinator for Prince William County Public Schools.

 The pilot program was based solely on the adoption of conservation techniques; no funds were to be spent on energy saving technology.  Each pilot school’s baseline usage was determined by averaging energy consumption from fiscal years 1990, 1991 and 1992.  Schools that could show a “cost avoidance,” as measured by comparing current performance against the established base line, would be entitled to a rebate equal to fifty percent of cost avoidance.

 Representatives from the Plant Operations Department’s Energy Office explained the program to principals at the school sites and walk-through energy surveys were conducted.  These surveys, which usually included the principal and a representative of the appropriate energy utility company, were used to point out energy savings opportunities in a given building.  Presentations were also made to school staffs.  Total “cost avoidance” for the pilot program, July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994 was approximately $100,000, of which half was paid out to the pilot schools. 

 The success of the pilot program prompted consideration of expanding the program to include the entire school division.  During the summer of 1994, meetings were held with school principals, baseline information was presented, payout procedures explained and energy management and conservation techniques were offered.  Principals were asked to appoint a Building Energy Coordinator and encouraged, with matching funds provided by the central office, to implement low cost conservation projects: up-grade of insulation on exterior doors and windows, purchase of task lighting and more.  Presentations providing an overview of energy management were also made to cafeteria and custodial managers.

 As the program progressed through its first year, education and awareness was expanded to include the student populations.  The students continue to be a vital part of the energy conservation efforts.  Student art classes have designed light switch covers reminding teachers and other students to turn out lights when a class leaves a room.  One school appointed a student “light brigade” which patrolled the building during lunch and recess periods to insure that energy was not wasted.  Many schools opted to appoint class “energy captains” who were responsible for turning out lights.  Schools have vested a science/ecology club or student government organization, promising these groups a portion of any earned rebate.

 In 1995, program designers Shaun McTighe and Tom Colbert were invited to present a workshop on the program at the World Energy and Engineering Program.  The following year, the school division’s energy program received a third place award from American School and University magazine.  McTighe and Colbert also earned a Team Performance Staff Recognition Award from the school division in 1999.  The State Board of Education’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission recently recognized Prince William County Public School’s Energy Program as a “Best Practice.”

 For more information on the Energy Management Program, contact Tom Colbert, Technical Services Coordinator, at 703-791-7402.