“Going Green” in Public Schools and Special Energy Initiatives

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 92
POLICY CODE: ECF

TO: Superintendents of Schools

FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner of Education

DATE: March 13, 2008

RE: “Going Green” in Public Schools and Special Energy Initiatives

Last legislative session, two resolves were passed that required the Department of Education to develop and disseminate information to public schools with respect to “going green”. The going green resolves came in two forms, carpets and cleaning chemicals. Below you will find links to information put on the Department’s website for proper carpet cleaning techniques, and for green cleaning chemicals and procedures. Please take a moment to review the materials and pass this information along to your custodial and maintenance staff. Particularly, please share the information with respect to the green cleaning chemicals list and green cleaning procedures as the Department will need to follow up with each SAU to determine its status with initiating a “going green” effort. One of the resolves requires the Department to develop, maintain, and make available a list of SAUs that go green (use one or more green cleaning chemicals or green cleaning procedures). The Department and cleaning supply distributors can assist SAUs with going green.

Chemicals in Schools homepage: http://www.maine.gov/education/const/chem.htm
List of Green Cleaning Products: http://www.maine.gov/education/const/chem002.xls
5 Easy Steps to Carpet Maintenance: http://www.maine.gov/education/const/chem003.ppt
Best “Green” Cleaning Management Practices: http://www.maine.gov/education/const/chem004.doc

I have also enclosed some information about a very worthwhile energy initiative being sponsored by Efficiency Maine. The initiative will double current rebate levels and, in some cases, entirely fund energy projects in schools. I encourage you to read the enclosed brochure and call Efficiency Maine.

Lastly, there is an energy workshop coming up in April at Lewiston High School that should help schools with energy conservation. A brochure is also enclosed regarding this workshop. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Please contact Ed Antz with any questions or comments. He can be reached by phone at (207) 624-6886 or by email: ed.antz@maine.gov .