Today we announced that fifteen schools have been chosen to participate in our Energy Action in Schools program.  Each school will form an Energy Action Patrol, which is comprised of students, teachers, administrators, and facilities managers, to find ways to conserve energy in their school buildings.

Please join us in congratulating the following schools:

• Chrisney Elementary School, Spencer County
• Clark Pleasant Intermediate School, Johnson County
• Clifty Creek Elementary School, Bartholomew County
• Eads Elementary School, Lake County
• Fishers High School, Hamilton County
• Fishers Junior High School, Hamilton County
• Hope Elementary School, Bartholomew County
• Heritage Hills Middle School, Spencer County
• Indian Creek High School, Johnson County
• L.C. Schmitt Elementary School, Bartholomew County
• Richmond High School, Wayne County
• Scottsburg High School, Scott County
• Seymour High School, Jackson County
• Shelbyville High School, Shelby County
• Winamac Community High School, Pulaski County

The Energy Action in Schools program is provided by the National Energy Foundation (NEF) with federal State Energy Plan (SEP) funds administered by the Indiana Office of Energy Development (that'd be us).  Duke Energy has also provided financial support for the program.

Energy Action in Schools reminder

September 23rd is rapidly approaching and we're hoping some schools are interested in participating in this year's Energy Action in Schools program!

In case you missed it, the Energy Action in Schools program brings students and administrators together to reduce energy costs in their buildings while learning about energy efficiency efforts.  The program, free of cost to school corporations, provides funding and training for schools that take part in the program.  Teachers will receive Energy Patrol modules for classroom instruction.  The participating schools will also receive a behaviorial audit, including assistance in tracking energy savings.

Interested?  More info can be found on OED's website.  Or, feel free to contact Megan, the Energy Action in Schools program manager, at 317-232-8939.

Available OED grants

In case you've been behind on your blog reading, we've announced three new programs within these past few weeks and we wanted to make sure you didn't miss anything!

CHIP, or Conserving Hoosier Industrial Power, is a program for large-scale commercial and industrial facilities to implement energy efficiency measures.  Read up on CHIP here or contact Megan at 317-232-8939 for additional information.  Deadline to apply is September 23rd.

Energy Action in Schools is -- you guessed it -- a program for schools that allows students to learn about how to save energy in their schools and at home.  You can read about Energy Action in Schools here and again, contact Megan at 317-232-8939 if your school is interested.  Deadline to apply is also September 23rd.

We just announced the Alternative Fuel Vehicle program yesterday.  This program will offer grants for fleets.  Additional info can be found here.  Contact Patrick at 317-232-8939 if you'd like more info.  Deadline for the AFV program is September 30th.

We look forward to reading some stellar grant applications!

Energy Action in Schools re-opens

We've opened another new program - for schools this time - so be sure to check out the press release below if you're interested!  Head on over to OED's website for more info.

-----

Energy Education Program Available For Indiana Schools
Energy Action In Schools Program to Launch New Initiative

(Indianapolis) – Lt. Governor Becky Skillman has announced that Energy Patrols will once again be scouring some Hoosier schools looking for ways to save energy.  It’s part of the Energy Action In Schools program where students and school administrators work together to reduce energy costs in their buildings, while learning about energy efficiency.  The Energy Action in Schools program provides funding and training for the schools that take part, as well as assisting the schools in energy use behavioral audits twice during the school year.

“This program has a double impact,” says Lt. Governor Becky Skillman.  “Schools may find ways to reduce their energy usage and therefore their costs.  Students participating are taking an active role in the energy usage of their schools, while learning efficiency lessons they can use for the rest of their lives.”

The Energy Action in Schools program is provided by the National Energy Foundation (NEF) with federal funds administered by the Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED).  Duke Energy has also provided financial support for the program.  Schools wishing to participate in the program must apply online through the OED Web site.  The application will be open until September 23.

Schools that participate in the program will receive training for facilities managers/energy managers at selected schools on how to provide behavior training as well as education programs to support energy management efforts in schools.  They will also receive Energy Patrol modules for classroom instruction. These patrols, made up of students with teacher support, will monitor energy usage in their school building and make recommendations on how to save energy.  The schools will also have a behavioral audit performed twice a year, including assistance with tracking energy savings from their behavior modification efforts. 

During the 2010-2011 school year, 21 schools to part in the Energy Action In Schools program, which launched in 2009 with a pilot program.

###