by John Gessner
Thisweek Newspapers

Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 is on an energy diet.

Aiming to cut its $1.3 million annual energy energy costs by 10 percent, the district has purchased a program called ìSchools for Energy Efficiencyî (SEE) from Hallberg Engineering.

Through the state Department of Education the district received a $20,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant to jump-start the effort.

After expenses, the district hopes to save $100,000, the goal set this spring when the board cut more than $4 million from the districtís 2004-05 general-fund budget.

ìI can assure you, if I have anything to do with it, we will achieve this goal this year,î
Steve George told the School Board Oct. 7. George, the districtís former planning and information systems director, has received training in the SEE program and is back as a consultant to lead the program.

The program has worked in other districts, George said, adding that Bloomington has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in the last three years.

George said heís met with every principal and program leader in the district to explain the energy-saving strategies.

George said key strategies include:

ïKeeping tighter control over the computerized heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems in the buildings. Energy can be saved ìwith no adverse impact on personal comfort,î according to district Business Manager Carter Christie.

ïSealing the ìbuilding envelopeî to ensure heat isnít leaking through windows and doors.

ïChanging personal behavior. ìWhen youíre out of the room, turn the lights off,î George said. ìFeel free to do that.î

ïSetting unused computers to the ìsleepî mode. Research shows that can save $10 a year per monitor ó and the district has 3,000 to 4,000, George said.

ïPossibly scheduling Community Education activities in clusters within buildings so some heat or air conditioning can be turned off.

ïBetter controlling the temperatures of swimming pools and using pool covers where available.

ïDelaying daily start-up of kitchen equipment if possible.

ïKeeping gym lights off when the gym isnít in use, for savings up $2,000 to $5,000 a year.

ìItís a simple matter,î George said. ìDo you want the money to go to utility companies or do you want to keep it back in your district?î

He will report progress to the board quarterly.

John Gessner is at burnsville.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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