Sustain DCSD
December 2016
Green Buses for Our Yellow Fleet
For the past year and a half, the Office of Sustainability has been partnering with Transportation toward the addition of 3 compressed natural gas (CNG) school buses to our fleet. Through this project, were were able to secure $250,344 in grants from Noble Energy and the Regional Air Quality Council, along with incentives provided by Black Hills Energy, which brought the cost of the 2017 buses below the cost of used diesel buses. We were proud to celebrate their arrival last month with a celebration hosted by Douglas County High School. Thank you to all our funders, partners, staff, and especially the students in making this event special as we look forward to our first venture in alternative fuels!
Why CNG?
- CNG is the cleanest burning fossil fuel.
- There is a CNG fueling station located two blocks from one of our transportation terminals.
- Over 90% of CNG is domestically produced.
- 5-9% reduction in greenhouse gases.
- 20-45% reduction in smog producing pollutants.
Check out all the press!
Yellow Ride, Green Impact: Douglas County Schools Adds 3 Alternative Fuel Buses to Fleet: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/23/douglas-county-schools-adds-3-alternative-fuel-buses/
School District Rolls Out Eco-Friendly Buses: http://castlerocknewspress.net/stories/School-district-rolls-out-eco-friendly-buses,239333
Before You Break, Give Your Building a Break!
It may be the holidays, but let's talk vampires. Devices that are plugged into the wall may still be drawing tiny amounts of energy, even when they are turned off! These are called energy vampires. Before you leave for the break this week, please take a minute to unplug the unnecessary energy vampires in your classroom and building. Plug load is estimated at around 10% of a building's energy use, so you can have a great impact with these simple steps!
- Turn off all lights except safety and security lights.
- Send a reminder to building occupants to turn off all unused office equipment, including computers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machine and scanners.
- Turn off power strips
- Unplug any personal appliances: printers, coffee makers, decorative lighting/lamps
Waste Less, Celebrate More!
The holiday season can result in a LOT of unnecessary waste. Here are some awesome tips on how to have a Zero Waste Holiday!
GIFTS
- Give an experience, like tickets to a museum, movies, or special show.
- Homemade cookies, cake mix, herbal tea, jam, pickles, or sugar/salt scrub in a reusable jar.
GIFT WRAPPING
- Purchase or make reusable gift wrap from fabric scraps or pillowcases.
- Reuse what you already have, papers from the recycling bin, children's artwork, newspaper, or paper bags.
CARDS
- Email your holiday greetings, or send plantable cards!
- Send the cards that you do receive for reuse to St. Jude’s Ranch Card Recycling, 100 St. Jude Street, Boulder City, NV 89005.
RECYCLE THAT TREE!
2015-2016 Health and Wellness Report Now Available
DCSD Among First to Launch Zero Energy Schools Accelerator
The goal is to quickly make Zero Energy K-12 schools more mainstream. Partner school districts commit to developing their own zero energy plans for a district project within a year. They can also engage with fellow states and school districts, and leverage support from regional and national organizations, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, Southern California Edison, The Energy Coalition, New Buildings Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the National Association of State Energy Officials.
The first participating school districts include:
- Hermosa Beach City School District (Hermosa Beach, California)
- LA Unified School District (Los Angeles, California)
- Arlington School District (Arlington, Virginia)
- Boulder Valley School District (Boulder, Colorado)
- Adams 12 – Five Star Schools (Thornton, Colorado)
- Douglas County School District (Douglas County, Colorado)
- State of Minnesota Schools
- State of California Schools
Sustainability at Douglas County School District
Email: sustainability@dcsdk12.org
Website: www.dcsdk12.org/sustainability
Location: 2806 U.S. Hwy 85, Castle Rock, CO, United States
Phone: 720-663-1206
Facebook: facebook.com/sustainDCSDK12
Twitter: @sustainDCSD
LeeAnn Westfall
- Manage utility budget
- Manage energy performance contracting
- Manage fuel reduction (yellow & white fleet)
- Developing a district-wide sustainability management plan
- Oversee utility contracts
- Being generally awesome!
Courtney Kuntz
Courtney is heading out of the office to snuggle up at home with a brand new baby boy while she wrangles a 2 year old. She will return in late February, but she will probably be sleep deprived and possibly a little cranky. She is now responsible for:
- Troubleshooting infant needs
- Toddler negotiations and bribery
- Tiny human nutrition
- Sleep management
- Coffee, all the coffee
Contact LeeAnn or Max if you need any support with your sustainable programming!
Max Krueger
Max is our energy and data guru! Ring him up if you have questions about:
- Utility Monitoring
- Resource Conservation
- Energy Efficiency
- Energy Procurement
- Regulatory Assistance
- Collaboration