District looks to save $551,000 in energy costs
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Green, green, green - society has stopped ignoring the warnings about environmental decline.

It appears that just about everyone is making changes to lead a more environmentally conscious life and the Williamsville Central School District is no exception.

The district is expected to begin its New York Power Authority Energy Savings Program this summer, taking out its old systems and bringing in new ones.

"The agreement with New York Power Authority will save us significant money in energy savings and bring capital improvement to the district at no cost to the taxpayers," Superintendent Howard Smith said at the April 8 School Board meeting.

Joseph Crimi, a conservation program engineer with NYPA, presented an update to the Board of Education, saying that the program has been running since 1992 and it's designed to save tax dollars and conserve energy.

To accomplish those initiatives, major changes will take place in the district's 13 buildings, slated to begin this summer, to reduce the impact to students.

NYPA has reviewed the district's current energy system and will replace many key areas, including air handlers, boilers and lighting.

"The point to make to everyone here, is our goal is to run the project with as little impact as possible, through doing most of the major work during breaks, mostly the summer," Crimi said.

He added that during the school year, work will take place during the night, with cleanup done by the start of the school day at 7a.m.

"We have (completed) similar procedures across the state for 20 years, we have experience with the state and with the special needs school districts might have to attend to," he said.

Completion is expected in December 2009. Once the program is fully operational the annual energy cost savings will be approximately $551,000.

Assistant Superintendent Tom Maturski said the district will also receive approximately $491,000 annually in state aid for 15 years.

Williamsville Central will join the list of 2,660 energy savings projects around the state in public facilities.

A representative from NYPA said the state has already recorded a $104 million savings through the Energy Savings Program, and estimated $1 billion has been invested for the projects.

It's a growing trend, as NYPA focuses on its "15 by 15 Plan" - 15 percent reduction in energy use/cost by 2015. That includes an additional $1.4 billion investment in the next eight years.

The program has been an overall benefit, it lowers bills and green house gas emissions, it also lowers use of oil and lessens the facilities' demand for power.

The district and NYPA are completing the final details before work can begin in just a few months.

The program was first announced in January 2007 and an audit of the of the schools identified several energy-saving measures. Work will include:

• Upgrade lighting system with T-8 fluorescent lights and electronic ballasts.

• Installation of carbon-dioxide senors to optimize outside air, reducing the volume of conditioned air that is exhausted.

• Replace old, inefficient boilers at Williamsville South High School and Country Parkway Elementary School.

• Installation of automatic swimming pool covers.

According to NYPA, it will finance the overall project costs, an estimated $8.7 million, allowing the district to avoid up-front expenses and repay the financing costs during several years through a portion of its energy bills savings.

Maturski said the district is expecting approval from the state Department of Education by the end of April and he said he is happy with the progress of the program.

During the same meeting, the Board of Education was addressed by members of Cadet Troop No. 362 who challenged the district to make immediate changes to be more environmentally conscious.

The girls, students at Heim, Casey and Mill middle schools, asked the district to stop using Styrofoam trays, that are thrown away after breakfast and lunch. They said they discovered that the district serves 5,700 meals a day on these trays.

The students suggested the district switch to reusable trays and install dishwashers, if necessary.

Also, they asked the district to start recycling plastic bottles and milk cartons, a practice that is not universal throughout the district.

Trustee Camille Eichhorn requested that the issue be looked into further by the district and discussed at a future meeting.

Members of the board agreed that they needed to make sure the district was doing its part to be more environmentally friendly.

The next regular board meeting will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 in the district boardroom, 105 Casey Road.