CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
                      NEWS RELEASE


For Immediate Release: November 16, 1994
More Information Contact: Rob Schlichting - (916) 654-5159



             STATE LOAN PROVIDES OJAI SCHOOLS
            WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS


The California Energy Commission today approved a $180,000 
low-interest loan to the Ojai Unified School District for new 
energy efficient lighting and other energy improvements.

The loan, made possible through the Energy Conservation Assistance
Act, will enable the district to reduce energy use in all seven of
its schools and the district's administrative office. 

With an enrollment of 4,000 students, Ojai Unified operates five 
elementary schools -- Summit, San Antonio, Topa Topa, Meiner's 
Oaks, and Mira Monte -- that teach grades Kindergarten through 
six.  The district also runs one middle school, Matilija 
Intermediate, and a high school, Nordhoff High.  District 
headquarters, along with a continuation high school program with 
five classrooms, is located in what was once Ojai Elementary 
School.  

"Because of their age, Ojai's schools offer many opportunities to 
modernize and save energy," said Ron Barney, the district's 
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administrative Services.
"All of our facilities are at least 30 years old, and our middle 
school was built in 1917."  

Barney said that, throughout the district, inefficient 
incandescent lights will be replaced with energy-saving 
fluorescents, and existing fluorescent bulbs and fixtures will be 
updated.  Field lights at Ojai Valley Community Stadium, located 
on the Nordhoff High School campus, will be modernized, and the 
auditorium at Matilija Intermediate School will be upgraded.  With
improvements to several schools' heating systems and to the high 
school's swimming pool, the district should be able to reduce its 
utility bill by over $46,000 a year. 

The energy savings generated should enable Ojai Unified to repay 
the loan in approximately four years.  After that, Barney said the
district plans to reinvest the continuing savings in other energy 
projects.  "For example, we hope to add insulation and upgrade 
air-conditioning systems," he said.  "Energy efficiency allows us
to cut costs, even as we improve classroom quality and comfort."

The state's Energy Conservation Assistance Act funds low-interest 
loans to local governments, schools and other agencies willing to 
invest in energy efficiency.  "Our district looked for funding for
a year before our utility, Southern California Edison, was briefed
on the low-interest loans program by Energy Commission 
representatives.  They in turn told us about the state program," 
Barney said.  "Without the Energy Commission, our district 
couldn't have afforded these improvements."  


                               #####


Ron Barney, 
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administrative Services, 
Ojai Unified School District (805) 640-4300

Energy Commission Contact: 
Claudia Chandler, Assistant Executive Director, (916) 654-4989



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