Corona, Marcos launch first phase of energy-saving effort

An innovative sustainability program considered to represent a major stride toward helping Corona del Sol and Marcos de Niza high schools join the “green” movement has been approved by the Tempe Union High School District’s governing board.

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Other district schools also will participate.

The board approved a contract with Chevron Energy Solutions Company for energy audit, with the first phase beginning immediately.

Bob Anderson, director of plant operations of the district, said the project will start with a comprehensive energy audit. Results will be reported to the district’s administration and governing board to determine future funding options, he said.

“Phase one was hiring and sending out an expert in the field,” Anderson said. “And right now, they’ve just started conducting the energy audit, which is a complete analysis of all facilities.”

The audit will take 60 days to complete, and will culminate with a report reaffirming all the innovative changes made, at the same time identifying possible additional changes that can be made, Anderson said.

“Many recent articles suggest the sustainability movement is the fastest-growing right now,” he said. “We will be able to identify any cutting-edge technologies that can be put in our schools.”

An informational video of the sustainability program is available on the district’s website at www.tuhsd.k12.az.us .

Creating a living laboratory

Anderson noted that the program will not only create energy-saving opportunities for the schools, but enable students to witness innovative changes while incorporating educational projects.

“The program is essentially surrounding education, developing opportunities for kids to (work toward) futures in sustainability,” he said.

“We’re actually going to have kids being engaged in the operation and participate with the evaluation and design of the system.”

TUHSD staff is working with Arizona State University and Rio Salado College to develop the curriculum, Anderson said.

“We’ve had some programs going on at a lower level, but this is going to kick it up a couple notches,” he said. “It’s more project-based, so the kids can see how different aspects relate to the projects.”

Anderson said the students would have the opportunity to develop interest in future innovative jobs.

“The teachers are excited about it,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re also going to be teaching students to be better community members – to be more conscious of the environment.”

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