Evening Star

April 21, 2008

DeKalb Central cuts its energy use by 38 percent

WATERLOO — The DeKalb Central school district said today that its energy conservation program, which began 46 months ago, has led to a 38 percent reduction in the district’s overall energy consumption.

Electricity consumption has declined by 14.7 million kilowatt hours and natural gas use is down 114.7 billion BTU’s.

“We are achieving real and significant energy conservation at the district,” said superintendent Ken Fowble.

“According to the EPA, our decrease in energy use from electricity alone is the equivalent of taking 2,064 cars off our local roads or planting 4,279 acres of trees in our community. The less electricity we use the less electricity that has to be generated, thereby reducing pollution from generation plants. Our savings is equivalent of 20,550,000 pounds of greenhouse gases. That’s a positive impact on our local environment.

The district said its conservation program also has led to a 6.5 million-gallon decrease in water use through better water consumption habits.

DeKalb Central Schools has been following a rigorous energy savings program with the help of Energy Education Inc., a company that specializes in people-driven energy conservation for school districts, universities, colleges and large churches.

The program guarantees savings and requires no new district money to implement.

Fowble said he also is pleased with the financial success of the conservation program.

“While being better stewards of our environment, we are also saving significant taxpayer resources,” he said.

“Since our conservation program began, our district has avoided over $2.4 million (in expenses). When Energy Education approached our district, they guaranteed their program would not cost more than the savings we realized. The district’s savings has far exceeded their guarantee.”

The DeKalb Central school board authorized the energy conservation program in January 2004 and it began in June of that year.

As Earth Day 2008 approaches, the district has some real conservation momentum and the staff and students are the major part of the effort, administrators said.

“There is more conservation to pursue. The district has an opportunity to realize significant environmental and financial savings for decades to come through its energy conservation program.

At DeKalb Central Schools, every day is Earth Day,” Fowble said.