Costa Mesa, CA (PRWEB) July 30, 2014
Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced the California Energy Commission’s approval of the largest funded Proposition 39 allocation to date. Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, the 8th largest district in Los Angeles County representing over 20,000 students, received $5.3 million in approved funding as part of an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) to implement energy efficiency projects at the district’s four comprehensive high schools.
“In addition to simplifying the entire process, partnering with Schneider Electric allowed us to directly address our most pressing energy efficiency problems through an integrated approach,” said Annie Bui, Associate Superintendent of Business Services for Hacienda La Puente USD. “We now have a full 5-year energy savings plan that will help maximize every Prop 39 dollar.”
“Among the 1,000 plus school districts in California, we are one of the larger school districts, and one of only 47 districts with an approved Prop 39 plan,” added Gino Kwok, Board President of Hacienda La Puente USD. “We also take pride in knowing that these efficiency improvements will have a life-changing impact on our students, create new local jobs, and have a positive environmental impact. It’s a win-win-win for everyone in the community.”
The Proposition 39-funded project has been approved by the California Energy Commission for the entire 5-year program. The project will save Hacienda La Puente USD’s four high schools $459,000 annually, or 28% of their existing energy bill. Moreover, the District will realize a staggering 38% electricity savings at these sites and stimulate the local job market through a project labor agreement with IBEW.
The facility improvements include:
- Classroom lighting and occupancy sensor retrofits
- LED exterior and gymnasium lighting retrofits
- New heating and cooling controls system
“When it comes to energy savings, it never pays to wait,” said Jordan Lerner, Regional Director, Schneider Electric. “Hacienda La Puente USD got started early in the process and their proactive efforts resulted in an expedited approval of the largest funded Prop 39 project to date. We commend the District for getting the ball rolling early and look forward to making significant facility improvements that will enhance their learning and working environments.”
In 2012, the citizens of California voted to approve Proposition 39 to close tax loopholes and invest $2.5 billion of that new revenue into energy efficiency improvements in K-12 and Community College buildings. In today’s reality of tighter budgets and shrinking resources, cash-strapped schools have found improving the performance of their school facilities one of the only ways to free up funds for critical expenses, like maintaining and improving building infrastructure, hiring and retaining teachers, and keeping up with the demand for information technology investments for its students.
In the past 20 years, Schneider Electric has successfully implemented over 530 energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) across the nation and helped clients save close to $1 billion. Since 1993, Schneider Electric has been focused on the education market and has implemented turnkey energy efficiency and capital improvement projects at over 250 school districts and colleges. Schneider Electric uses the latest energy-saving practices and technologies to upgrade aging equipment, reduce maintenance expenses, lower utility bills and improve building performance to help maximize Proposition 39 dollars. Visit http://www.enable.schneider-electric.com to learn more.
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About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Buildings, Data Centers & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the company’s 150,000 plus employees achieved sales of 31 billion US dollars in 2013, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.
http://www.schneider-electric.com/us
About Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District serves more than 20,000 students who reside within the district’s boundaries – the cities of Industry and La Puente, and the unincorporated Los Angeles County areas of Hacienda Heights and Valinda. The District is dedicated to maximizing the talents, interests, and abilities of all its students, enabling them to meet the challenges and opportunities of a changing world. The district curriculum is based on the California State Frameworks. Classroom instruction is integrated, thematically applied, technologically integrated, and sensitive to the individual learning styles of students and the needs of the multicultural community we serve.