Energy and Sustainability
The Energy & Sustainability Program (ESP) is dedicated to spearheading energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives that directly benefit the St. Vrain Valley School community. Our mission is multifaceted: we strive to reduce operational costs, preserve precious natural resources, increase opportunities for thoughtful and enriching educational experiences, and forge strong and valuable connections within our community.
ESP operates as a collaborative effort, depending on expertise and dedication from both internal staff members and external partners. Together, we evaluate our current energy consumption patterns and proactively recommend initiatives geared towards optimizing usage and enhancing performance. This is all done while cultivating awareness and education among students, staff, and educators.
In alignment with our objectives, ESP actively engages with utility providers and seeks out grants, rebates, and incentives to support our initiatives. We are committed to conducting comprehensive facility audits, benchmarking our progress, and setting ambitious yet achievable short, medium, and long-term sustainability goals. Additionally, we prioritize efficient commodity purchases that align with the values and objectives of the District.
Our goals are segmented into four key focus areas: Green Buildings, Energy & Environmental Education, Resource Conservation, and Waste & Material Flows. Through targeted efforts in these arenas, St. Vrain Valley School District hopes to contribute to a greener future that prepares our students and the broader community to be active and productive members of a global and more sustainable world.
Sustainability – meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Green Buildings
- Identify energy efficiency projects and technologies for facility improvements such as lighting and sensors, HVAC, building envelope, daylighting, alternative energy, and more
- Implement policies and guidelines to reduce the carbon emissions and footprint at each site
- Establish new construction and renovation standards that incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability practices
Energy & Environmental Education
- Educational programs include but are not limited to waste management, water safety awareness, conservation, ecosystems, energy efficiency, recycling, composting, climate change, carbon footprint, fossil fuel history and development, renewable energy markets, and innovation
- Provide classroom activities, course materials, and field trips that increase awareness surrounding energy and the environment
- Encourage creative solutions to resource conservation through diverse events and programs such as Eco-Cycle’s Green Star Schools, Green Teams, ReNew Our Schools competition, and the Longmont Children’s Water Festival
Resource Conservation
- Identify emissions and idling reduction technologies and/or cleaner fuels for the District school buses to help improve local air quality and reduce children’s exposure to fuel exhaust
- Investigate and disseminate best practices through education and training to minimize water, electricity, and fossil fuel usage
Waste & Material Flows
- Implement purchasing policies that reduce materials and offer guidance in selecting eco-friendly products
- Identify methods to reduce waste and maximize recycling and composting
- Evaluate the life-cycle costs and environmental impacts of facility operations and maintenance to improve efficiency
A Call to Action
As our schools embark on this journey towards more energy-efficient and sustainable practices, we encourage all students, teachers, staff, and community members to embrace the environmental steward within. Every one of you can make a difference in reducing energy usage, using less water, minimizing waste, recycling and composting whenever possible, and spreading eco-friendly life choices. ESP is good for people, the planet, and our bottom line, but most importantly for the health of our students and future generations.