WESTBROOK SCHOOL DEPARTMENT WINS HASTINGS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY
June 10, 2010
Augusta, Maine—Today, Governor Baldacci presented Dr. Reza Namin, the Superintendent of the Westbrook School Department, with the Maine Public Utilities Commission/Efficiency Maine’s Hastings Award at a ceremony in the State House’s Hall of Flags.
Governor Baldacci said: “ Westbrook School Department has made extraordinary efforts to increase the energy efficiency of their buildings all the while incorporating the work into the curriculum of school programs. As a result, young Mainers in the Westbrook area learn by experience the benefits of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility—the vision of Efficiency Maine’s founding director Phil Hastings.”
“We are very proud of our efforts to increase energy efficiency and save energy costs throughout our school systems,” said Westbrook’s Dr. Namin. “Our new middle school is a shining star for which we feel very lucky. It was “green designed” for maximum solar gain and incorporates advanced energy efficiency technology throughout the building including a geothermal heating and cooling system.”
The Governor was joined by Commission Chair Sharon Reishus and Efficiency Maine director, John Brautigam, in congratulating the School Department for its achievements. Chair Reishus added, “Westbrook School Department deservedly won—and I thank the strong list of nominees, all of whom are working hard to promote energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, two guiding principles of Phil Hastings. We are all pleased to give Westbrook the award in his memory.”
All new Westbrook school buildings and additions in the last few years have all included upgrades in energy efficiency, from new heating systems, to solar gain, increased insulation and R-values in walls, roofs and windows, and heating and cooling system control technology. Westbrook has transformed the lighting of its gyms, hallways, and building trades facilities from metal halide to high-output energy efficient florescent and compact florescent lighting. Importantly, the work on this transfer was done as part of the curriculum of the Electricity Program at the Department’s Regional Vocational Center; all project estimating, ordering and installation was done by the students. The Department also moved from individual thermostats in each building to an automated system controlling temperature settings. Several boilers have been upgraded to on-demand and for high efficiency ratings.
Other nominees recognized this year include Geoffrey Clark (Honeywell—Brewer), Shawn Moody (Moody’s Collision Centers—Gorham), ReVision Energy (Liberty) Coastal Enterprises, Inc (Wiscasset), David Burnes (RealWinWin—Philadelphia),Jim Wellahan (Lamey-Wellahan—Auburn), and Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District (Augusta).
Since 2005, the award has been given annually in memory of Philip C. Hastings, the founding director of Efficiency Maine and recognizes exemplary efforts to further Maine’s goals of energy efficiency and environmental enhancement.
Efficiency Maine is the Energy Program of the Commission and is designed to promote the use of energy efficiency, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine’s environment. Its programs are funded by electricity customers and from federal grants, especially the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. For more information, visit www.efficiencymaine.com .
Contact: Evelyn deFrees, 207-287-6141 evelyn.defrees@maine.gov
