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 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.

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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.

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Energy Action in Schools program

We hope everyone is starting to thaw out after this big freeze!

Yesterday, we announced that several schools across the state have been chosen to participate in the Energy Action in Schools program.  This program is funded in part by federal State Energy Program (SEP) funds and the Wabash Valley Power Association, IPL, and Citizens Energy, and it's being implemented by the National Energy Foundation.  The following school corporations are taking part:  Carmel Clay, Carroll Consolidated, Greencastle, Hasten Hebrew Academy, Indianapolis Public Schools, Maconaquah, North Miami, South Central, South Madison, and Wawasee.

In short, each school building that participates will receive an audit.  An adult Energy Action Leader will be trained at each school, and students can join the Energy Action Patrols that will monitor usage in the buildings and make recommendations for additional savings.  This is not only a great way for students to learn about energy and conservation, but for school corporations to identify further steps that can be taken to cut costs.  The best part is that this is free for schools to participate.

Stay tuned in the upcoming months as schools undergo training and report back to us on their energy savings.