During Thursday’s board meeting, Lamar CISD received $48,581 from the CenterPoint SCORE Program for installing high efficiency lighting, air conditioning and roofing systems at several school sites.
SCORE, which stands for Schools Conserving Resources, is offered at no cost by CenterPoint Energy to select school districts to help improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
SAVING ENERGY, EARNING DOLLARS – Lamar CISD and CenterPoint Energy representatives show off the $48,581 rebate check the school district received last week for its energy saving efforts.
The incentive amount was determined by the total amount of peak electric demand the district will save. The more efficient systems installed by Lamar CISD will save 763,822 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 62,000 gallons of gasoline, according to Environmental Protection Agency calculations.
“Lamar CISD is committed to conserving resources wherever possible, and energy efficiency is an important part of that commitment. The incentives offered through the SCORE Program helped make the upgraded lighting and HVAC equipment a reality,” said Kevin McKeever, the district’s administrator for operations. “This program helps provide an environment where learning can take place, but still help keep taxes low.”
The SCORE program also worked with the school district to involve personnel from all departments in the decision-making process so that everyone understood the value of investing in the projects.
“It’s important that everyone understands that while higher efficiency equipment can cost more initially, it easily pays for itself through the energy savings and incentives available,” said Dick Stadnicki, the district’s energy manager.
Cheryl Bowman, who manages the SCORE Program at CenterPoint, said the energy rebates help schools take part in a long-term energy reduction effort.
“As school budgets are spread thinner, there is a real need for an energy efficiency program that specifically lowers operating costs for schools,” Bowman said.
