YEAR THAN ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES
You can change that by lowering your school's energy bills using readily available, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems. Installing energy-efficient equipment reduces annual maintenance costs, conserves finite resources and improves indoor air quality. Administrators confirm that our recommendations and assistance led to better learning environments. Savings from these systems are proven to typically reduce annual utility costs by an average of 20 percent. All of your district's programs can share these savings, thereby benefiting the students!
The Bright Schools Program Can Help!
Whether you are renovating an existing school, building a new one, or want to save on energy bills, the Bright Schools Program can help. This California Energy Commission program offers specific services to help you become more energy wise. Together we can identify cost-effective energy efficient systems to meet your needs and provide design and implementation assistance for your projects.
Existing Schools
The Bright Schools Program can help you get the most from your renovation and maintenance investments. With an evaluation of your maintenance plans or an energy audit of your facilities, we can identify energy-related projects that should be implemented immediately as part of a comprehensive Bright Schools energy package. School organizations planning major renovations can also benefit from our technical assistance services during the planning and design processes. For existing schools, the Bright Schools Program can:
Conduct energy audits and feasibility studies
Review existing proposals and designs
Develop equipment performance specifications
Assist with contractor selection
Review equipment bid specifications
Review commissioning plans
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New School Construction
Schools built with energy efficient designs will cost less to operate, offering continuous savings and leaving more money for education. Many new schools being built today just barely meet current California Title 24 energy efficiency standards and could save more energy. Many of these designs could be improved with little or no additional expense. The Bright Schools Program provides technical assistance to your district's architectural and engineering team early in the design phase, before the plans are finalized. The savings accumulate from the first day of operation! For new school construction projects, the Bright Schools Program can:
Provide design consultation
Identify cost-effective energy-saving measures
Compare different technologies
Provide equipment specification consultation
Develop computer simulation models of your planned project
Help select design professionals with energy efficiency expertise
Review schematics and construction plans
Assist with system commissioning
Is There a Cost to Participate in the Bright Schools Program?
The Energy Commission has contracted with experienced engineering and architectural consultants who provide the technical assistance. We provide up to $20,000 of our consultants' cost. For some applicants this could cover all the costs for analyzing one or more schools. With some cost sharing, the program can analyze additional schools. The cost of the study depends on the type and scope of project and size of facility(ies).
Bright Schools Program Collaborates with Key State Programs
Our staff works closely with the Office of Public School Construction, the Division of the State Architect, and the California Department of Education to ensure that recommended projects meet program eligibility requirements. We can help you secure low-interest loans to provide all or a portion of the funds you need for your energy-related projects.
Download Brochure
The Bright Schools Program Brochure is available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). For more information about PDF files or to download Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe's Web site at www.adobe.com.
The Application Process
How do I apply for technical assistance?
1.Complete the Technical Assistance Application. (updated: 11/05)
2.Provide supplemental information, such as past energy studies, preliminary plans or proposals, 12 months of energy bills (e.g., gas and electric), and energy using equipment inventories for the buildings or facilities that you are requesting assistance for.
3.Complete the Governing Board Resolution. The resolution may be mailed separately, but no technical assistance will be provided until we receive the resolution.
4.Mail your application, Governing Board Resolution, and supplemental information to:
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California Energy Commission
Bright Schools Program
Public Programs Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS 42
Sacramento, CA 95814-5512
How will you evaluate my application?
The application must indicate how your district plans to execute and fund recommended projects. Also, the Governing Board Resolution must demonstrate your district's commitment to implementing the Bright Schools Program's energy efficiency recommendations.
When is my application due?
The Bright Schools Program is continuously open program with no final filing date. Program funds are limited, however, so filing promptly will help increase your chances of receiving assistance. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who is eligible for the Bright Schools Program?
All publicly funded California K-12 school districts and non-profit K-12 schools are eligible for assistance from the Bright Schools Program.
What if I need funding for my energy saving projects?
If you need funds to finance and implement the projects recommended by the Bright Schools Program or as a result of your independent analysis, you can apply for a low interest loan from the Energy Commission. Loans are available at competitive rates for public K-12 schools. For information, go to www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/.
Other Information
Costs for school operations keep going up, but one way to save money is by reducing energy costs. Find out how some California schools have reduced their operating costs by exploring the PDF documents below.
Case Studies of Program Participant's Energy Saving Projects
School Case Studies
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Murrieta Valley Unified School District
updated: June 2006. (2 pgs, 396 kb)
Rio Linda Union School District
updated: June 2006. (2 pgs, 688 kb)
Sanger Unified School District
updated: June 2006. (2 pgs, 212 kb)
Willits Unified School District
updated: June 2006. (2 pgs, 112 kb) |
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General Technical Assistance Document
updated: June 2006. (2 pgs, 740 kb)
Contact Us
Contact:
Elizabeth Shirakh
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-26
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4089
E-mail: eshirakh@energy.state.ca.us
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