Valpo School Board gets updates on energy saving plan
Valpo School Board gets updates on energy saving plan The Times of Northwest Indiana
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Thomas Jefferson Elementary and Middle Schools to Go Solar
Updates on the District’s Energy Saving Plan
- The Valparaiso Community School Board heard updates on the district’s energy saving plan during its meeting on Thursday.
- Installation of roof solar panels at both Thomas Jefferson elementary and middle schools is expected to begin in June.
- A solar carport is planned to be operating at the elementary school by the start of the next school year.
- Replacement of current light fixtures with LED lights in nine buildings is around 75% complete.
- Installations have been completed at both middle schools and Memorial Elementary.
- The work is expected to be completed by the end of May.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The installation of solar panels and LED lights contributes to the use of clean and renewable energy sources, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability.
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The energy saving plan aligns with the goal of creating sustainable communities by implementing energy-efficient technologies in school buildings.
- Goal 13: Climate Action – The use of solar panels and LED lights helps mitigate climate change by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing energy consumption.
Financial Impact and Benefits
- The installation of solar power and LED lighting is expected to save Valparaiso Community Schools around $13 million over 20 years.
- The LED lights installed so far have reduced energy use by over one million kilowatts, resulting in around $122,000 in annual savings for VCS.
- VCS has received nearly $58,500 in energy rebates from NIPSCO, with a total of $125,000 in rebates due.
- The district is also applying for federal tax benefits on the project, anticipating receiving around $930,000 in tax credits.
Other Updates
- The school board approved the district’s application for a $644,800 common school loan from the state.
- The loan will be used to purchase teacher laptops, Chromebooks, iPads for students, classroom projectors, and a network server.
- If approved, the loan will have a five-year term, with the first payment due in January of 2025.
- The new loan will have no impact on the district’s tax rate since an existing common school loan will be paid off in July.
- The board also approved seeking bids on replacing Valparaiso High School’s football scoreboard, estimated to cost around $400,000.
Next School Board Meeting
The next Valparaiso Community School Board meeting is set for May 16, inside the VHS cafeteria.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
The article discusses the installation of roof solar panels at two schools, which will contribute to the use of renewable energy in the district’s energy consumption. This aligns with SDG 7 and specifically Target 7.2.
-
SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.
The installation of solar panels and LED lights in schools demonstrates the integration of climate change measures into the district’s energy-saving plan. This aligns with SDG 13 and specifically Target 13.2.
-
SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.
- Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to electricity, by type of electricity source.
The article mentions the replacement of current light fixtures with LED lights in nine buildings, including schools. This improves the learning environment by providing better lighting and aligns with SDG 4 and specifically Target 4.a.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all. | Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to electricity, by type of electricity source. |
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Fuente: nwitimes.com
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