[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 82 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ENERGY SAVINGS LEAD TO EDUCATION FUNDING

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. RUSH HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2014

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, over the past two years, Plainfield, New 
Jersey Public Schools has saved nearly $1.2 million in energy costs. 
That is 26 percent of the school district's utilities budget over the 
same time span. These savings are the result of a district-wide, 
behavioral-based energy savings program. With the help of Plainfield 
School's energy specialist, Michael Pate, Plainfield School District 
achieved these savings by encouraging changes in behavior, like turning 
off lights and computers, and improving maintenance practices, like 
ensuring the right amount of Freon is used in HVAC systems.
  The use of data helped drive this successful initiative. The school 
district can break down energy consumption of each appliance to the 
hour and, therefore, derive a cost per hour for each device. As a 
result, individuals know exactly the size of their energy footprint and 
how much money can be saved district-wide. Most important, teachers and 
administrators know that these savings can be redirected into funding 
classroom supplies and increasing educational services.
  Imagine if all school districts in America trimmed their energy 
expenditures by 26 percent and then reinvested that savings in 
decreasing class sizes, updating technology, providing science 
equipment, hiring nurses, psychologists, and special education 
teachers, creating after-school activities, and organizing events and 
services that make their public schools the cornerstone of the 
community. We must give all students the opportunity to obtain a 
quality education and increase our children's academic competitiveness 
with their international peers. The $1.2 million savings Plainfield 
Public Schools achieved is the reason why I introduced the School 
Building Enhancement Act (H.R. 115), which would provide grants to 
states to assist educational agencies in implementing energy-saving 
practices. As demonstrated by Plainfield, the savings will be 
significantly higher than the costs. I urge my colleagues to support 
this legislation.

                          ____________________