By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
May 22, 2001
Like most of us, Meridian schools are searching for ways to lower power bills.
During the Meridian Public Schools Board of Trustees meeting Monday, the board voted to approve a contract with Energy Education Inc., an energy management consulting company based in Wichita Falls, Tex., pending approval by the state.
Gary Clark, Energy Education vice president, told board members they could expect a savings of about $1.2 million over the next four years.
Clark said the 48-month program is built around changing people's habits.
The district spends about $1,800 a day in energy costs. Clark said that figure was not bad for a school district Meridian's size, but claimed his company would still be able to save the district 20-30 percent on its utility bills per year.
A flat fee of $63,600 goes to Energy Education each year of the four-year contract, which will come out of the district's current utility budget. If savings to the district do not exceed the total cost of the program, Energy Education will pay the difference.
For the first year of the contract school officials project a savings of $167,000, with savings increasing each year.
Terms of the contract include that the district hire an energy manager to work with Energy Education. Superintendent Janet McLin said the district will advertise for the position with an Energy Education representative on the interview team.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.