October 4, 2011

A $30,000 grant from the City of Greensboro will help Guilford County Schools (GCS) increase the reach of its award-winning Energy WISE conservation program.

The Energy Efficiency Education and Demonstration Challenge Grant, also called the E³ grant, uses federal stimulus funds to support organizations that promote energy efficiency education and activities. This is the second year Guilford County Schools has received the grant.

Energy WISE , which stands for Wisdom is Saving Energy and the Environment, was implemented last year at 24 schools and will be expanded district-wide this year. Three GCS schools - Sedgefield Elementary, Northern Middle and Southern High - won state and national awards for their efforts to reduce school energy usage.

The program uses student-led teams to target energy waste and praise efficiency through tickets or thank-yous. The teams also develop awareness campaigns to help educate students and the community. The schools with the greatest results can receive cash awards at the end of the year.

"The program is effective because the message comes from peers, not from parents or teachers," says Alicia D. Strange, GCS energy engineer. "We are so grateful to the City of Greensboro for providing resources to build on last year's success."

GCS hopes to save more than five percent of its energy spending through improved efficiency at participating schools. For more information, contact Strange at 275-2065.