The Anne Arundel school system is partnering with a company to help save around $600,000 in energy costs.
“We focus on the human side of the equation of energy conservation,” said Michael Bitar, president of the Mid-Atlantic division of Energy Education Inc., a Dallas-based energy management consulting company.
“We want them to understand how to maximize energy efficiency by recommending plans of action.”
The company is sending energy educators who will provide energy conservation materials to teachers and make recommendations to combat high oil prices.
This move was in response to a recent audit?s recommendation for the school system to create an energy plan with goals and strategies to reduce energy usage, school officials said.
“Not only will the students and teachers be saving us money here, but we hope they?ll take the practices they learn home with them,” said Alex Szachnowicz, the chief facilities officer.
“The goal is not only to save money but to redirect these savings to improve teaching and other program areas.”
The cost for this initiative is expected to be $310,000 and would create more than $900,000 in savings ? a net savings of about $600,000, said school system spokesman Bob Mosier.
In the energy plan, schools would see an energy profile of their building and results of their efforts to conserve, Szachnowicz said.
In 2008, the school system budgeted $16.9 million on light and power fuels and $4.4 million on heating fuels for schools, offices, garages and warehouses, Szachnowicz said.
Energy Education Inc. is working with Queen Anne, Allegany and Talbot counties in Maryland and more than 800 school districts in 46 states.
The new energy program is expected to begin July 1.
