Maine Green Schools' - Greenhouse Gas Energy Use Survey
The voluntary School Greenhouse Gas Survey project is a collaborative effort between Maine DEP Bureau of Air Quality and the Maine Energy Education Program (MEEP). Schools have the potential for significant energy efficiency improvements that can reduce their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change impacts. Through this project we hope to provide technical assistance to Maine schools in identifying their emissions from energy use and to help highlight opportunities that will reduce schools' operational costs. The schools listed below are recognized as leaders in the state for their efforts to improve energy efficiency by participating in this project.
SCHOOLS THAT HAVE COMPLETED A GHG SURVEY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS:
Bath Public Schools
Lewiston Public Schools
Raymond School Department
Rockland's, Mid-Coast School of Technology
SAD 3, Thorndike, Unity, Troy, Brooks, Monroe,
Liberty, Freedom, Montville , Knox, Jackson and Waldo
SAD 8, Vinalhaven
SAD 9, Farmington, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon, Vienna
SAD 48, Corinna, Harland, Newport , Palmyra, Plymouth, St. Albans
SAD 56, Searsport
SAD 72, Fryeburg, Brownfield , Denmark , Lovell
Waldo County Tech Center
Houlton's Region 2 School of Applied Technology
Wiscasset School Department
Connor School (Northern Aroostook county)
Portland Public Schools
SAD 12, Jackman
Waterville Public Schools
NEW! SCHOOL ENERGY SELF AUDIT GUIDE
Schools that completed GHG surveys in 2008 were given minigrants for a walk-through audit.
This Self Audit guide is the sum of all the recommendations audit contractors offered for energy
saving suggestions at those schools. Now you can evaluate energy saving opportunities too!
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS :
* Overview
* How to get started
* Links
OVERVIEW OF GHG SURVEY - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOLS
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DEPs Voluntary GHG survey of energy use at Maine schools is a great way to get started looking at energy efficiency in schools. The purpose of the survey is simply to document the baseline energy use associated with schools and buildings in Maine. Your school is not obligated to make a commitment beyond that - but we think you'll see the opportunities and benefits in reducing school overhead costs.
Once you've measured your energy use you can prioritize and plan to save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and gain recognition as a leader in energy efficiency.
By having a clear picture of your school's energy use, managers can identify opportunities to reduce their operating costs and be ready to apply for energy efficiency funding when it becomes available.
By using DEPs carbon calculator spreadsheet, school will have documented a baseline year of energy use that allows them to measure and compare reductions in following years. Facility and business managers will receive a report to present to school management that will help justify investments in reducing energy costs and saving money.
GETTING STARTED:
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Step 1 download excel spreadsheet;
Step 2 enter fuel use and electricity data;
Step 3 create an energy efficiency improvements wish list;
Step 4 generate report to document energy management needs for administration;
Step 5 contact Efficiency Maine to see if you qualify for financial and technical assistance.
Step 6 update spreadsheet each year to document savings and emission reduction trends.
Data on heating fuel, electricity, refrigerant/coolants, and transportation fuel are the main focus of this survey. Additional emission factors for waste and water mangement can be estimated using the EPAs Climate Check Spreadsheet (listed in the web resources links at the bottom of this page).
Don't have time or computer skills to enter data into the spreadsheet? DEP/ MEEP technical assistance is available upon request for any school interested in getting help entering their first year's data into the spreadsheet. Upon completion of the survey and providing the data to us, you will be provided with a summary report that will help to identify and prioritize energy saving projects that you think would help to save money in operating costs. A final report will be provided to each school energy manager and superintendent to document your results. The spreadsheet with baseline (year one) data will be provided to you and is a valuable tool to document your energy savings from year to year. It does all the calculations for you and automatically creates graphs to help you explain the results to other school officials.
DOWNLOAD THIS EXCEL spreadsheet to record your energy use data and estimate the greenhouse gases from your facilities. This form lists all the required information on seven worksheet tabs. It automatically adds it all up and creates graphs for you to use.
Start by filling out the monthly stationary and mobile source fuel use and electricity data. Collecting monthly data will provide a more accurate survey of your buildings' energy use and prepare you for a walk-though energy audit, if you choose to have one in the future.
Contact DEP to learn more: Maine DEP or call 207-287-2437 and ask Rachel Thompson how she can help you to get started.
Energy Efficiency Assistance for Maine Schools
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( Links below are offsite and will open in a new window.)
Efficiency Maine's (EM) Business Program provides financial assistance for implementing electricity improvements as well as solar thermal applications. In the past few year's a number of Maine schools have reported significant reductions in their electricity bill by installing lighting retrofits (more efficient lamp systems, occupancy sensors and computerized selective lighting programs) and energy efficiency pumps, drives and motors on heating and ventilation equipment.
MORE WEB RESOURCES:
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Another tool for calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
EPA CLIMATE CHECK SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOLS
http://epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
What Can Schools Do to Reduce Emissions (Save Energy)
US EPA - What You Can Do
http://epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
Following the lead of Businesses reducing GHG emissions
Cool Companies: Joseph Romm, author of the book, COOL Companies, provides numerous suggestions to help businesses save money by reducing energy use.
Rocky Mountain Institute Excellent info on saving energy and emissions
