News Releases for September 2005
September 30, 2005
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Hoeven Announces Grant For Energy Efficiency Pilot Project In Bismarck Schools
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the state’s Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency has secured federal grant funding to allow the Bismarck Public School District to establish a unique energy efficiency and management project. Project results will be shared with schools statewide.
Bismarck’s “EnergySmart Schools” proposal is slated to receive $100,000 to establish an ongoing energy efficiency and energy management program district-wide, and to eventually communicate lessons learned to other school districts in North Dakota. The district is matching the federal funding with a $30,280 cash match, and $5,000 of in-kind services.
Bismarck’s “EnergySmart Schools” program involves partnerships with the Office of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency in the state Department of Commerce, local utility companies, architectural and engineering firms, federal Energy Star and Rebuild America programs, the North Dakota Soybean Council, and the North Dakota Corn Growers Association.
“This project is very timely in that school districts throughout the state are looking for ways to economize on heating and fuel costs,” said Hoeven. “By working in partnership with the Bismarck School District and other key players, we hope to help schools throughout North Dakota address energy costs.”
The award will fund an energy manager position for a two-year period. In addition to funding the position, project dollars will fund energy management and tracking software, a wind energy feasibility study, diagnostic equipment, and a workshop on energy efficiency and management for other school districts.
Energy efficient design will be incorporated into any new construction or major remodeling, and energy efficiency improvements will be made on existing portable classrooms. Energy related curriculum materials will be provided to selected grade levels, and transportation efficiency will be maximized through optimal routing, and the use of biodiesel and ethanol fuels in the district fleet vehicles.
“The Bismarck School District is proposing a unified approach to energy consumption and cost savings,” said Kim Christianson, manager of the state Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency office. “The best way to deal with energy efficiency is to look at the whole picture and address it with a comprehensive plan.”
Darin Scherr, the director of facilities and transportation for the school district, will head the project. Institutional energy efficiency is not a new topic to Scherr. Prior to accepting the position with the district, Scherr served five years as State Energy Engineer, negotiating several multimillion dollar energy efficiency performance contracts.
He is confident potential savings are there to tap. “What we want to do is demonstrate the cost effectiveness of a comprehensive energy management program. We will quantify the results of our efforts, and demonstrate the potential in energy cost savings to districts across the state,” Scherr said.
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