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Energy Auditing, Saving
Going Green
Going Green: Energy Auditing, Saving
A multi-million dollar energy savings project is underway in the East Syracuse-Minoa School District that requires no taxpayer dollars.
“What we've done is creatively worked with Siemens and collaboratively to put together a contract would help our taxpayers and residents while we're upgrading our buildings. It actually is no cost to our taxpayers during the implementation phase and yet we'll reap the benefits in millions of dollars in savings over the course of the next 18 years,” said Doctor Donna DeSiato, ESM Superintendent.
Superintendent Donna DeSiato says the energy savings of over $9 million is guaranteed in the contract and Siemens Building Technologies will be paid with the savings.
“Most of our buildings were built in the mid-60s and over time what we have found is even if the buildings are well maintained, we need to implement and to install new technologies,” said DeSiato.
Inefficient boilers and air leaking windows will be replaced. Buildings will be weatherized and energy management systems will be installed, and she says a building doesn't have to be that old to benefit.
“Because the technologies have actually been upgraded so much so that even if a school district did this kind of upgrade 10, 15 or 20 years ago they would find that today a substantial upgrade. We've learned so much more from science and from environmental studies about what we can do to both take care of our planet and the properties that we occupy each and every day,” said DeSiato.
Faculty, staff and students are being involved in the process.
“Our high school students have taken a lead role in collaboration with our buildings and grounds staff to work on other important initiatives such as recycling, energy efficiencies and green initiatives. They're actually helping to teach our younger children,” said DeSiato.
The young people are expected to carry the message out into the community.
