Greening our Schools: Solar Thermal for Reiche Pool

In 2007 Portland spent $1.4 million on heating oil for our schools. That is more than 6 times the amount spent on textbooks. With numbers like that, we cannot afford not to invest in energy efficiency. One investment that I will push for is the use of solar thermal energy to heat the water for the pool and showers at Reiche Community Center.

The Reiche Community Center Pool is a terrific facility. It is a place for the community to gather, take swim lessons, or simply enjoy their daily exercise. But to keep the water warm we're burning big bucks. It is a worthy expense considering the fantastic resource the community receives in return, but with solar energy we can save money and reduce carbon emissions.

Not many know that Maine is actually the sunniest state in New England. In fact, Maine receives more sunshine per year than Germany, the world leader in solar installations. And today is the best time ever to invest in solar, with solar systems being more affordable than ever -- they have dropped by roughly 30% just over the past year.

I visited Revision Energy, a local contractor, to learn more about solar energy. They told me of a solar hot water project they recently completed for the pool at the Boys & Girls Club in South Portland. It is expected to reduce annual oil consumption by roughly 4,500 gallons, which equates to yearly CO2 reductions of roughly 99,000 lbs. The project will pay for itself in less than five years.

After installment of a solar hot water system at Reiche, we could expect savings of 6-8% immediately. After 4-8 years there could be 100% savings, and this could be achieved even sooner if stimulus funds were made available. But the most important savings are for the environment. For every gallon of oil saved, there is a corresponding reduction of CO2 emissions of 22.3 lbs! That adds up to a brighter future for our community.

Energy efficiency is the most important thing we can invest in. We can save money while building a more sustainable community.

Greening our Schools: School Composting

Greening our schools doesn't necessarily involve huge capital improvements. Sure solar panels for hot water would be fantastic. Switching from oil to natural gas for heating would be a step in the right direction. How about the smaller purchases like energy efficient lights? A good idea, but greening our schools doesn't have to include purchasing anything. We can save money, reduce carbon emissions, and teach ourselves and our students to be smart stewards of the environment by implementing simple cost-free programs.

A lot can be accomplished by changing habits. Turning off lights when you leave a room is a basic but important lesson we've all learned, and when we all do it, we help the environment in a big way. Changes in our daily routines produce the most profound effects.

I have recycled since a was a child, before it was in all our schools and everywhere we go. And now I can't imagine not recycling. It is simply a part of my routine, as it is for most of us. I'm glad that today our students and schools recycle as a part of their routine. But recycling paper and cans is just a beginning. What about taking recycling to the next step, and starting a school composting program?

School composting will recycle natural resources, reduce the amount of waste that needs to be hauled off to the landfill, and create a useful product, the finished compost, that could be used in landscaping or community gardening. Most importantly, school composting will educate the community about the importance of responsible waste management and being good stewards of the environment. And it is inexpensive and easy. In fact, it could save money!

If we want greener schools, we need to think beyond facilities. We should address our habits and start changing them for the better.