East End Community School Receives $100,000 from PUC for Energy Efficiency

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
February 22, 2007

East End Community School Receives $100,000 from PUC for Energy Efficiency

School district to save $31,887 a year in electricity costs

PORTLAND, Maine – Today, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced that the Portland School district will receive $100,000 for energy efficiency upgrades made at the East End Community School. The elementary school participated in the PUC’s Efficiency Maine High Performance School program, and had previously received a $20,000 grant for incorporating energy efficiency in its design The High Performance School program estimates that the school’s energy improvements will save $31,887 a year in reduced electricity consumption. These savings are equivalent to removing 136 tons of CO2 emissions, a pollutant that contributes to global warming, from the air or taking twenty-three cars off the road.

“Schools in the US spend more than $6 billion a year on energy, and the PUC was pleased to partner with Portland as they aggressively pursued energy efficiency in the design and construction of their new elementary school,” stated Kurt Adams, Chairman of the PUC. “Most schools spend more money on energy than on computers and textbooks combined, and the PUC’s High Performance School program provides school districts like Portland an opportunity to affordably incorporate energy efficiency in new school construction and save a significant amount of money. The East End Community School is a true leader in energy conservation and Portland should be applauded for their commitment to reducing electricity use and carbon pollution.”

One of the upgrades completed at the East End Community School involved increased access to natural lighting and better electric lighting for more consistent light in the classrooms. “When we began the design phase for the new school, we placed a particular emphasis on access to natural lighting not only because it has a great payback in lowered energy costs, but also because 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 Mary Jo O’Connor, Superintendent for the Portland School District. “In fact, the very position of the building was oriented at a slightly different north to south angle than originally to capitalize on the best sunlight available during the class day.”

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 of up to $20,000 for energy efficient designs for new schools and up to $100,000 for construction and installation of energy efficient equipment. The East End Community School is projected to save $31,887 in electric costs 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.

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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.