May 20, 2010

Media Release

Tyler ISD Receives Incentive Dollars From

Oncor’s Energy Efficiency Program

The Tyler Independent School District will receive a check from Oncor at tonight’s school board meeting rewarding the district for installing energy efficient lighting and cooling equipment in the newly constructed Clarkston Elementary School.  The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Plyler Instructional complex located at 807 Glenwood, Tyler.

By installing the more efficient equipment, the District not only receives a cash incentive from Oncor of $7,728 as part of its participation in Oncor’s Educational Facilities Program, it also reduces the energy costs for that campus by an average of 75,751 kWh resulting in a savings of approximately $8-$10,000 annually in energy costs. The District plans to install similar equipment in four additional schools now under construction.

In addition to providing incentive checks to Districts like Tyler ISD who are proactively upgrading campuses to make them more energy efficient, Oncor also offers free energy planning to all school districts in its service area. Oncor works with each campus to identify energy saving measures at existing facilities as well as incorporate efficient design into any new construction.

 “Walter Jordon, Tyler ISD Energy Trades Coordinator, has been vigilant in his efforts to take advantage of the programs offered by Oncor,“ said Charles Hill, Oncor Area Manager. “His efforts have not only resulted in regular cash incentives being awarded to the District but more importantly, sustainable energy savings that reduce the Districts energy bills month after month.”

Oncor sponsors the Educational Facilities Program to help educate schools about energy efficiency and to fund energy reduction measures as part of its objective to lower energy use. The program provides educational material, technical assistance and monetary incentives to schools based on energy conservation measures. In 2008, school districts in the Oncor service area saved 3,769,354 kWh (enough energy to power 12,000 ENERGY STAR homes for a month, according to the Environmental Protection Agency) and were awarded a total of $344,018 for their energy savings. The program is offered at no cost to the participating schools and truly helps to transform how schools think and act toward energy use. The program helps schools minimize a school’s energy usage and provides incentives for infrastructure improvements. These combined benefits help schools ensure a more optimum learning environment for students.

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