News
Energy Star
June 18, 2015
Typically, when we think of the blue ENERGY STAR logo, you may picture it on your dishwasher or dryer at home. Did you know that similarly to the energy conservation of these household appliances, a building might be ENERGY STAR certified? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR program has created an energy performance rating system for several commercial and institutional building types and facilities. These ratings, on a scale of 1 to 100, provide a means for benchmarking the energy efficiency of specific buildings against the energy performance of similar facilities. Facilities that score a 75 or higher are eligible to apply for ENERGY STAR certification. Here, at the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, we are proud to report that we have 23 ENERGY STAR certified schools as of June 18th, 2015. All certified sites will receive a special plaque to recognize this achievement.
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April 22, 2015
News from our Superintendent, Dr. Doug Domene.
Dear PYLUSD Colleagues,
On this day 45 years ago, Earth Day was created to help raise awareness of environmental protection. Originally started here in the United States, this day is now celebrated in more than 192 countries. The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District has joined in this commitment to conserve our natural resources through its Save One program.
The Save One program is an energy conservation program that has reduced energy use by 13% over 27 months. The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District is also a participating member of the EPA's Energy Star program. This year, 21 school sites have qualified for Energy Star certification.
Other highlights of the Placentia-Yorba Linda USD’s Save One energy conservation program include:
· $1.7 million in savings
· Reduction of 2,602 metric tons of carbon dioxide
· Development of a district-wide water conservation plan
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Save One Campaign
April 20, 2015
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District’s energy conservation team has recently launched its new campaign, the Save One program. Save One was created to raise awareness of energy conservation throughout our school district and the surrounding communities. Not only does this campaign focus on conservation of energy, it also emphasizes water conservation, the reduction of waste, emissions, and our district’s carbon footprint as a whole. In accordance with the PYLUSD Advantage Focus Area 5.0 strategic initiatives, 5.3 states, that as a district we will, “Achieve greater efficiency through sustainable efforts in building construction, energy and water conservation, reduced fuel consumption, and waste reduction.”
Energy Conservation Program
January 9, 2013
News from our Superintendent, Dr. Doug Domene.
Recently, our school board took proactive steps to reduce the amount of money we spend on utilities by entering into a partnership with Cenergistic, formerly Energy Education. This firm earned the 2011 and 2012 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and was named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 2009 and 2010. For over 26 years Cenergistic has helped school districts and other educational organizations nationwide reduce energy consumption, allowing funds to stay where we need them—in the school district. I cannot stress enough how critical this energy program is to our school district. The PYLUSD currently spends $5.4 million each year in energy (electricity, water and gas). Ultimately, the success of our energy program will enable us to save jobs as well as important programs. This energy program does not require us to increase our utility budget, purchase new energy equipment or upgrade our existing equipment.
All cost associated with the program are paid through the savings that the district generates
There will be minimal impact on the comfort of our students and educators. This program works by exploring thousands of energy savings opportunities such as daily management and auditing of our energy equipment when buildings are not in use
This is an organizational behavior-based energy program and will require complete cooperation and participation from each of us to be successful
This is not a short-term “green project.” It’s a comprehensive, rigorous and sustainable energy program to help us save money for years to come
The program will require each of us to change some habits affecting how we use our energy resources in each building
I am excited at the opportunity this energy program will provide us to save significant money during these very challenging economic times while doing something very positive for the environment.
