Maine Public Utilities Commission

NEWS RELEASE

Maine Public Utilities Commission
242 State Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0018
Website: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/, Email: maine.puc@maine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-287-8519, 207-310-0123 (cell) Nicole.Clegg@maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2006

CONY High School Receives $100,000 from PUC for Energy Efficiency

School district to save $28,292 a year in energy costs

AUGUSTA, Maine – Today, the Maine PUC announced that the Augusta School system will receive $100,000 for energy efficiency upgrades made at the high school. CONY High School participated in the Commission’s Efficiency Maine High Performance School program, which encourages energy efficient designs and the installation of efficient equipment in new schools. The High Performance School program estimates that the school’s energy improvements will save $28,292 a year in reduced electric and fuel oil consumption. These savings are equivalent to removing 160.9 tons of CO2 emissions from the air or taking thirty-two cars off the road.

“Schools in the US spend more than $6 billion a year on energy,” stated Kurt Adams, Chairman of the PUC. “In fact, most schools spend more money on energy than on computers and textbooks combined. The PUC’s High Performance School program provides school districts like Augusta an opportunity to incorporate energy efficiency in new school construction and save a significant amount of money. This year alone, we will see seven High Performance Schools open -- saving at least $152,000 in energy costs in the just the first year.”

One of the upgrades completed at CONY High School involved increased access to natural lighting and better electric lighting for more consistent light in the classrooms. “Natural lighting not only has a great payback in lowered energy costs but studies have found that students taught in classrooms with more natural light scored as much as 25 percent higher on standardized tests than other students in the same school district,” remarked Connie Brown, Superintendent for the Augusta School District. “The school’s lighting upgrades will save us as much as $21,483 in electric costs a year.”

Energy management controls such as CO2 sensors were installed to detect when ventilation is needed -- reducing heating costs and keeping the correct amount of air fresh in the building. Studies show that poor air quality in schools, due primarily to inadequate ventilation, adversely affect the health, performance and attendance of students and teachers. The high school’s ventilation system offers an effective, energy efficient way to deliver fresh air and remove airborne pollutants, improving the overall air quality of the classroom.

The High Performance School program is delivered in partnership by the PUC’s Efficiency Maine Program, the Maine Department of Education, Maine’s Bureau of General Services, the US Department of Energy, and Maine School Management Association. The program provides grants for energy efficient designs for new schools and construction and installation of energy efficient equipment. CONY High School is projected to save $21,483 in electric costs and $6,809 in fuel oil in its first year of operation. For more information on the program or energy efficiency, visit the PUC’s Efficiency Maine website at www.efficiencymaine.com or call 1-866-ESMAINE.

######

The Public Utilities Commission is committed to ensuring that consumers have access to safe and reliable service for public utilities and that the rates for these utilities are just and reasonable. PUC programs include Maine Enhanced 911 Service, Dig Safe, and Efficiency Maine.

To arrange an interview with Chairman Adams or Commissioner Reishus, please contact Nicole Clegg at 207.287.8519 or by e-mail at nicole.clegg@maine.gov. The Commission’s website, www.maine.gov/mpuc , may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in Maine.