Teaching by Example—Warren County Public Schools Practice what they Preach when it comes to Energy Conservation

By implementing energy-saving strategies, Warren County Public Schools have avoided a cost of $3.3 million over the past five years. In addition to using energy-saving strategies when buildings are remodeled or newly constructed, WCPS is also creating “energy teams” of students in the schools to educate students and encourage involvement.

“Our energy teams will begin in five elementary schools beginning in August,” says Jay Wilson, energy manager for Warren County Public Schools. “They will use NEED (National Energy Education Development—http://www.need.org/) material to guide them through the new program. NEED covers the Science of Energy, Sources of Energy, Electricity, Transportation Fuels, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, etc. This material is designed to help students understand the many aspects to energy and increase awareness for all our students and faculty.”
These programs make energy conservation a real and practical part of students’ everyday lives, and learned at a young age, these methods are likely to become standard practice for them as they mature into our next generation of leaders.

Superintendant Dale Brown finds the success of the program encouraging. "The aggressive steps we’ve taken to address rising energy costs and the environmentally friendly measures we’ve implemented are sure to benefit the schools and community for many years to come.”

Visit Warren County Public Schools' website at http://www.warren.k12.ky.us/WCPS/Welcome.html.

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