St. Mary’s County Public Schools is committed to a Green School Program that educates students on the importance of protecting the environment as we Work, Live, and Learn for Tomorrow. As part of the program, the school system sponsors a “Top Energy Saver of the Month” initiative that recognizes the conservation efforts of our dedicated students and staff.
Beginning in September, and every month through May, each school’s electric consumption is compared to the same month for the previous two years. This is a change to the Capture the Flag Program from last year where schools were only compared to the previous year’s consumption. The change was implemented to reward schools for long-range sustainable savings. This year, savings will be shown in kilowatt hours (kWh) per square feet (sq.ft.) instead of kWh. Since each school’s energy footprint is different, schools only compete against themselves. Each month, the top school will be announced and presented with the energy flag designating it as the “Top Energy Saver of the Month.” The flag will rotate monthly to the next school that achieves this honor.
Margaret Brent Middle School achieved the top energy savings for the month of April 2011 with a 13.95 percent reduction in electric consumption compared to their consumption during the months of April 2009 and 2010. Margaret Brent’s electric consumption decreased from 0.86 kWh/ft2 to 0.74 kWh/ ft2. The school saved 16,000 kWh which equates to a savings of $2,800. Savings at the school can be attributed to students and staff being diligent about turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, turning all equipment off at the end of the day and over weekends, not using lights in the cafeteria, and constantly looking for ways to reduce energy consumption.
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