Schools
LIPA Presents Sag Harbor Schools With $100K Check
Lighting upgrades lead to energy efficiency grant for school district.
Just in time for Earth Week, the Sag Harbor School District was presented with a rebate check Friday for making energy efficiency improvements in school buildings.
The $101,355 rebate for lighting upgrades and the installation of occupancy-sensors comes under LIPA's Efficiency Long Island program, a 10-year, $924 million energy efficiency initiative. According to LIPA, the school district replaced or retrofitted approximately 1,810 fixtures with energy efficient high performance lighting equipment.
LIPA stated that the improvements are estimated to result in a reduction of 179,000 kilowatt hours per year and reduce peak electric demand by 95 kilowatts, saving the district approximately $32,000 annually. Also, LIPA noted, the district installed a 1,480-watt solar generator at Sag Harbor Elementary School last year, which resulted in a $4,070 rebate through the utility’s Solar Entrepreneur Program.”
“Thanks to the partnership with LIPA, Sag Harbor School district was able to integrate an energy savings program and also realized a financial savings as well,” said Carl Bonuso, Ed.D., Sag Harbor’s interim superintendent. “The rebate check being awarded is an example of benefits that can be derived when schools work with community partners to create win-win situations where all concerned realize benefits.”
"The Sag Harbor District and LIPA should be commended for working together to achieve savings for the school district's taxpayers," New York State Sen. Ken LaValle is quoted as saying in a LIPA statement. "I look forward to seeing other school districts throughout our region adopt similar techniques."
New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr., a member of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee and a Sag Harbor resident himself, was present for the check presentation.
“By focusing on new sustainable energies, we can grow our economy while protecting our environment,” Thiele said. “I applaud the Sag Harbor School District for participating in LIPA’s Commercial Efficiency Program and taking measures to save both energy and money for our community.”
