School District Honored for Going Green

In an effort to save money and reduce energy consumption, all 11 Dublin Unified schools have passed the test.  An energy star label will now be displayed on the exterior of each building to reflect the schools' energy efficiency achievements.

Dublin Unified School District embarked on the energy conservation efforts with the help of national company, Energy Education, Inc. in January of 2008. The cost of the Energy Education program, $422,400 over a period of four years, comes from the district's existing utility budget, and the district expects the savings will more than pay for the program. The energy program is the brainchild of Beverly Heironimus, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and Chief Business Official.

Brad Vereen, Dublin USD Energy Education Manager, presented the energy star awards at an August school board meeting.   Energy star labels are given when a building has met specific guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.  Vereen said that he credits staff and students for the savings and is very pleased with the results.  He added that efforts to reduce energy will continue.

 "The residents of Dublin demand it and we want to be able to provide it [energy savings] to them," Vereen said.

The campaign consisted of refrigerator maintenance, correcting the operation of thermostats, control lighting and educating students and staff to be more energy conscious.

The school district's initiative to save energy had a financial impact, even after considering for district growth and the rise in costs. 

 "We are very proud of the work we have been doing in managing our energy costs.  Over the past two and one-half years we have saved more than $1 million in cost avoidance," said Superintendent Stephen Hanke.

As a result of the campaign, the district saw a reduction in both their electricity and natural gas consumption.

And as the new school year begins, Hanke said the program will remain in place.

 "We will continue to enhance our efforts in helping to save our environment through these kinds of important programs."

In addition to the energy program, the Dublin School District is increasing recycling efforts.  An additional 120 classroom recycling containers have been put into place at Dublin High School and all public offices within the school district now have three compartment recycling bins.