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Schools

State Resources

Department of Education
According to Jim Rier, “Here are some thoughts quickly that might be helpful. As you can see most of these efforts are ongoing but recent. ~We are currently looking at new initiatives to get an accurate up to the minute picture of energy usage, both buildings and busses, and the challenges that schools will face in this budget cycle and the next. DOE efforts have included:
 
  • The bus routing software to help with fuel efficiencies – recently purchased, upcoming trainings and implementation by DOE
  • Facility Management software – RFP being finalized – will assist districts in energy tracking cost, consumption, and allow them to compare to other districts
  • Fall Maine School Facilities Summit – one day energy conference specific to existing school facilities
  • New school construction projects – constructed to a very high energy standard – includes alternative energy sources – benchmarked to LEED or CHPS standards
  • Utilized limited federal monies to install wood boilers in 2 schools in western Maine~ (QZAB program)
  • Working on the development of a fund, Renovation Fund or Other, to fund energy retrofit projects consistent with the High Performance Schools Program
  • ·Post energy analysis of wood boiler projects, geothermal projects, and other energy efficient information on DOE construction website to assist in getting information out to school districts
  • Have supported LEED and CHPS certification and training for professional staff to assist DOE funded projects and to provide a resource to districts
  • ·Have worked closely with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)~ and Maine School Management Association (MSMA) in developing a High Performance School Program assessable to all school districts.~ This program has included funding from the PUC over the past 5 years.
  • Support for Facilities Analysis for school districts looking for assistance in the consolidating of facilities
  • DOE co-sponsored a large energy conference in April for school districts – very well attended and successful
  • DOE supported and amended statutory and rule changes that required new school projects and major renovation projects to be designed to a minimum of 20% higher than code
  • DOE co-sponsored Benchmark Maine which is a manual that provides a prescriptive approach to meeting the states higher energy code
  • DOE has co-sponsored training for architects, engineers, and school facilities managers on Benchmark Maine
  • ·Major Capital School projects have supported energy efficiencies through supporting larger solutions to school projects that have incorporated up to 4 schools into single new facility – consolidation of facilities has become a very important element of that program
  • DOE has developed and amended rules to promote transportation efficiencies in new school sites