DOE Announces Energy Assistance for New Orleans' Public Schools, Supports Focus on Efficiency
August 08, 2007
Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman announced on August 8 that DOE's EnergySmart Schools Program will commit up to $1.5 million in technical assistance to public schools in the New Orleans area. The money will fund as many as 75 energy audits, with the aim of cutting schools' energy use by as much as 25%.
To support energy efficient rebuilding in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast, these audits will lay out opportunities for New Orleans' public schools to save up to $1 million annually on utility bills.
"The Department of Energy is eager to provide assistance to New Orleans' schools to promote efficiency with safe, cost-effective and durable technologies," Secretary Bodman said.
Secretary Bodman made today's announcement while visiting the Pierre A. Capdau Charter School in New Orleans. P.A. Capdau was one of the first schools in the recovery area to receive an energy audit. With support from DOE, the Entergy Corporation and others, P.A. Capdau is also one of many local schools vying to install 25-kilowatt (kW) solar panel systems. These installations are expected to offset a sizable portion of schools' energy consumption, saving each school roughly $4,000 annually on utility bills.
