Lack of funds stalls greener schools program

A program to reduce energy use in Iowa's schools that was introduced last April in Cedar Rapids still hasn't been adopted by a single school because of budgetary concerns.

The Schools for Energy Efficiency Program has reaped annual energy savings averaging 13 percent at Minnesota public schools that pioneered the program. But the program requires an upfront investment by schools of $5,000 per building, plus the expense of hiring or designating someone with expertise to oversee the program at the district level.

Unlike many green building programs, Schools for Energy Efficiency is behavior-based, according to Mary Schon, program manager for Ames-based Krell Energy Efficiency, which is administering the program. It shows faculty, staff, and students why to reduce energy consumption, and how.

Schon said the predominate response by school districts to the program has been: “We really don't have any money to put into this right now.” She said Krell Energy Efficiency was in talks with two “good-sized” school districts that remained interested up until Governor Chet Culver announced a 10 percent budget cut to state departments, including education. After that, Schon said no school districts remained involved.

Krell Energy Efficiency is trying to overcome the startup funding issues by applying for grants from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, the Iowa Energy Center, and others.

Schon said one plan is to use grant funding to set up a revolving loan fund. Schools could apply for a loan to start up the program in their district, and pay it back using the energy savings they generate from change in the school's energy use. The money can then be redistributed to other school districts to cover their startup costs.

“We're trying to help the schools,” Schon said. “If we can get a few districts involved, the others will see what they've done and want to take part.”

Schon is still making presentations about the program to associations that represent school administrators and school facility managers. She said three utility companies in Iowa are still offering a pilot incentive program that can cover up to 50 percent of program enrollment costs for buildings that enroll in Schools for Energy Efficiency.