CitiesGoGreen - December 2008 - (Page 11)

What are you doing in your community or position to make a difference? What would help you get started or move forward? Tell us about it in 500 words or less. Email to Steps@CitiesGoGreen.com We’re Taking Steps Matt Stellar Energy Manager Taunton Public Schools Taunton, Massachusetts Dear CitiesGoGreen: Taunton Public Schools is making great strides in reducing energy consumption. We are looking for collaborative ways to become even more productive in stretching energy usage so we can redirect dollars into the educational process. The purpose of this letter is to seek your help in identifying grant or funding opportunities, innovations in the energy field and means of securing recognition for everyone who is contributing to our conservation of energy in Taunton. In just 18 months we have saved well over $600,000 in reduced energy consumption. We believe very strongly that students are part of the energy solution. We anticipate a variety of student science fair projects will showcase energy and recycling themes. We’re planning for Taunton to become a beacon of energy efficiency. Our aspirations and dedication are well suited to support our goals. The necessity of conserving our world’s natural resources and the rise of energy costs have established energy conservation as a pressing issue around the country. Alternative energy sources and expanded conservation policies will be the future. More people are adjusting to a new way of life with conservation and recycling at the core. With more people realizing that their choices make a difference, even more positive change is possible. The Taunton School District has worked to reduce its negative impact on the environment, as well as reducing its yearly energy budget. We utilize a people-based program to reduce energy consumption by changing habits and looking into more efficient methods to use resources. Taunton’s reduction in energy consumption is impressive and beneficial to the environment. We have saved over 2,520,000 kwh since the inception of the program or 3,770,760 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented. This is the equivalent of 636 automobiles being taken off the highways. Please send me any information you have or are aware of with respect to grant or funding opportunities for energy management or conservation activities. We are also interested in learning of any award or recognition endeavors for energy conservation with which you are affiliated or knowledgeable. We will pass along programs, essay, poster or other contests for our students to express themselves on saving energy. Please let me know if there is some way in which I can be of service. We can assist by giving testimony on pending legislation, participating in panel discussions or giving presentations on energy management. We are interested in collaborating on improving energy conservation. Respectfully, Matt Stellar Energy Manager Send your ideas and comments to Steps@CitiesGoGreen.com We’ll share them with other readers as a resource. December 2008 11 http://citiesgogreen.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of CitiesGoGreen - December 2008

Citites Go Green Contents In Motion We’re Taking Steps 10,000 Rain Gardens in Kansas City Chicago Center for Green Technology Connecticut’s ‘One Thing’ Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Management Philadelphia The Economics of What Matters New Context: New Possibility

CitiesGoGreen - December 2008

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