Noble Public School District Saves Jobs And Money By Going Green

News9.com

NOBLE, Oklahoma -- A school district in Cleveland County saves hundreds of thousands of dollars by going green.

In just two years, Noble Public School leaders have shaved 30 percent off their energy costs.

An outside company called Energy Education came in to analyze the school district's energy use and recommend changes. Some of those changes included trading out old lights for more energy efficient ones. Teachers and staff also have made a habit of turning down thermostats, unplugging computers and turning off the lights at the end of the school day.

And those few little changes have made a big difference. More than $140,000 was saved the first year. And close to $170,000 the second year. Energy savings totaling more than $350,000 in two years.

Jobs and much-needed resources stay in the budget, thanks to the lower energy bills.

"We're saving three to four teachers a year and saving support staff jobs," said Jon Myers with Noble Public Schools. "If we need textbooks, if we need more computers, that money is available."

The energy conserved so far equals 463 passenger cars not being driven for one year. And more than 66,000 tree seedlings grown for ten years.

Other school systems that have been in this program longer and have saved even more. For example, Edmond has been enrolled with Energy Ed for 15 years and in that time has saved 16 million dollars.