Districts Approved for Participation in Energy Conservation Program
June 28, 2012 (COLUMBUS) – Five Ohio school districts have been approved for participation in a program designed to produce significant energy conservation savings.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) gave its approval at its June 28, 2012 meeting to projects in the Clinton-Massie Local (Clinton County), Graham Local (Champaign County), Shaker Heights City (Cuyahoga County), Tipp City Exempted Village (Miami County), and Upper Arlington City (Franklin County) school districts. The projects will be completed under the Commission’s Energy Conservation program, more commonly known as the H.B. 264 program. The five districts combined expect to see nearly $860,000 in annual savings through the planned improvements.
“Reducing energy costs and consumption is a major goal for school districts,” said OSFC Executive Director Richard M. Hickman. “The $860,000 in annual savings generated through the HB 264 program will allow these five districts to upgrade their facilities and become more energy efficient. Furthermore, the energy savings will cover the cost of the financing used to fund the projects."
The Clinton-Massie Local project will involve upgrades to lighting and building controls, along with other energy improvements in four buildings. The district estimates $95,740 in annual energy and operational savings.
The Graham Local project will include lighting and building automation upgrades and other energy efficiency work in four buildings. The district estimates $85,655 in annual energy and operational savings.
The Shaker Heights City project will involve upgrades to lighting and building controls in eight buildings, along with chiller and steam trap replacements. The district estimates that the improvements will result in $283,823 in annual savings.
The Tipp City Exempted Village project will include lighting and building automation upgrades in three buildings. The project also includes air filtration and boiler optimization work. The district estimates $106,178 in annual energy and operational savings.
The Upper Arlington City project will include lighting upgrades, boiler replacements, and other energy efficiency work in in nine buildings of the district’s building. The district estimates $287,786 in annual energy and operational savings.
About OSFC
Established in 1997, the Commission is responsible for administration of the state’s school construction and renovation program. The Commission is currently working with, or has completed all necessary work in, over half of the state’s 613 school districts. As of January 1, 2012, the Commission had opened 919 new or renovated buildings and had completely addressed the facilities needs of 214 districts across the state.
All school buildings currently being designed or built with OSFC funds seek certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® for Schools rating system. This national benchmark for high performing, energy efficient buildings provides parents, teachers and the community with verification that the school has been built to meet a high level of energy and environmental performance. Schools in districts approved for OSFC funding are being designed to meet at least LEED Silver Certification, with a goal of meeting the LEED Gold level. Two Ohio schools have achieved Platinum status, the highest certification level. In addition, 18 buildings have achieved Gold certification, with another 13 obtaining Silver Certification and one building having achieved regular Certification.