News Release
For more information contact: Abbie Hodgson, 785-271-3269
May 22, 2009
6th Grade Students Lobby for Energy Efficiency
Topeka, KS- Governor Mark Parkinson and KCC Chairman Tom Wright met with seven 6th grade students from Tonganoxie Middle School on Friday, May 22nd. Parkinson and Wright were presented with letters from 160 students about the importance of energy efficiency in their school and their community.
"I am writing this letter to inform you about energy, energy efficiency, and energy efficient buildings and how to save money by being more efficient," wrote Erin Fowler.
The letters are part of a program, the BTU Crew, offered by Trane. Trane is completing infrastructure improvements for the Tonganoxie School District as part of the Facility Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP).
The Facility Conservation Improvement Program, administered by the KCC State Energy Office, facilitates the implementation and financing of energy conservation improvements. Recommended upgrades are financed through projected energy and operational savings.
Students participating in the BTU Crew program receive in-depth lessons on energy efficiency including the results of an energy audit of their school building and an assessment of the environmental impact.
Recommendations from the students regarding energy efficiency include:
"If we use more energy efficient light bulbs, we can save energy and money, and at the same time, get the same amount of light as we normally would with twice the amount of money." -Victoria Dunn
"We can save money in the winter by putting sealant around the windows. So when the heat is on in the winter it won't get out between the cracks." -Brandon Williams
"One way to save energy is to turn down the heat and leave it on low and your heating bill won't be as high as it normally is." -Jake Eskina
Trane, the energy service contractor, estimates that the planned improvements for the Tonganoxie School District will result in energy efficiency improvements of up to 27 percent and savings in operations, maintenance, and utilities from the facility improvements of $217,000 annually.
Students recognized the importance of saving both energy and money:
"There is too much emission of CO2 in our school. We emit over 900 metric tons more than an average industry…tons!" -Lucas Clay Riddle
"Conserving energy is something we can all do to help our environment." -Audrey Snodgrass
"Money is something we are a little tight on but we could have a lot more if we start to become energy efficient. We could use this money on new books." -William Whippo
"With these improvements we can save money and not have to cut lose our teachers and other staff members." -Randy Ferguson