Lopatcong Township School District's energy-efficient efforts paying off

Saturday, July 25, 2009 • By SARAH WOJCIK • The Express-Times

LOPATCONG TWP. | Newly installed lights in Lopatcong Township Middle School's gymnasium are remarkably brighter and more efficient.

Staff lined their predecessors, 24 clunky halogen monstrosities, along the gym's bleachers until school officials find a place to recycle or sell them. District Buildings and Grounds Director Ron Marinelli said he is certain of one place those enormous lights won't end up: a landfill.

"We've got to remain consistent," he said.

That consistency has elevated the Lopatcong Township School District to the national stage as a forerunner in energy-efficient practices.

District officials say they have applied for national Energy Star recognition through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, capable of opening the door to grant money and other assistance.

In the past two and a half years, the district has reduced energy consumption by 30 percent and its carbon footprint by 420 tons of carbon dioxide, according to a district report released this week.

Becoming more efficient has also brought in revenue through an arrangement with North American Power Partners. The organization transfers power from district facilities during downtime, such as snow days and on weekends, to other partners and pays the district for its participation.

"The news really just keeps getting better and better," school board President Terry Glennon said after Tuesday's energy management presentation. "The results just continue to pay off."

An in-house effort

School Business Administrator Teresa Barna said she was inspired by the district's outrageous utility bills when she called Marinelli into her office about two years ago. Utility costs were about to exceed budget by $30,000.

Something had to be done, she said.

"That's the beginning and the end," Barna said of utility cost overruns.

School officials researched and implemented strategies to save energy, Barna said. Some changes were simple, such as turning off lights when not using a room or a school's wing. But Barna said these little changes have made a big difference.

A snapshot of the district's power load on the same day a year apart showed the elementary school requiring 7 percent less power while the middle school's power needs dropped nearly 17 percent.

Barna said a $2,000 investment in a building automation system upgrade allows for better control in the heating and cooling of each wing and room.

Between the district's energy savings and revenue from selling power back to the grid, Marinelli said, the return on investment totals about $51,900 from 2006-07 through 2008-09.

National recognition

Marinelli said he did not expect to see results for about five years. Yet in half that time, the district has experienced real change and lots of attention.

Buildings Magazine last November named the district's facilities among the nation's 44 most energy-efficient buildings in "Who's Who in the Buildings Market." Marinelli is slated to speak at November's World Energy Engineering Conference in Washington, D.C., but he said he is far from finished.

"Now that this has happened, I have new goals," he said. "I'm beyond infatuated with (energy management). Infatuation lasts only a short time. I'm passionate."

Warren County Executive Superintendent Kevin Brennan said he is impressed with Lopatcong Township's results and pleased, most of all, that savings can translate into education spending.

Marinelli and Barna said future goals include widening the program to include transportation and water as well as more lighting upgrades for both the elementary and middle schools.