pcm5122, lesson 3, energy efficiency policy

From our lesson and readings, energy efficiency is a relatively low cost opportunity to realize substantial energy savings in the long term. Of all the barriers listed in the McKinsey report, education about energy efficiency should be paramount in government policy making for social responsibility, and it should be started in two places: Corporate America and kindergarten. In educating Corporate America, the government should spearhead existing working programs (and experimental programs which show strong potential) with incentives for short term payback and measurable long term programs that will directly show results to the bottom line. By beginning energy efficiency education in kindergarten, we make efficiency education part of the program, not just the conversation. In order to educate the kids, however, we first have to educate the adults. As with Corporate America, the government can provide affordable incentives to produce realistic, tangible paybacks periods for the investments that the government would like ordinary citizens to make towards energy efficiency.

According to the U.S General Services Administration, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the government provided 5.5 billion dollars to green federal buildings. Let’s do some math. $5,500,000,000 divided by 50 states equals $110,000,000 million dollars per state. 110 million divided by 3303 (the number of public schools in Pennsylvania) comes to 33,303 dollars per school. If that investment were quadrupled, it would be $133,212.00 dollars per school. In Philadelphia, the district manages about 300 schools (including charters) which would come to $39,963,669 dollars for the district.

If the U.S is going to go green, we’re going to need skilled workers for that to happen, and our schools seem like the perfect place to start. Most Philadelphia schools have massive amounts of roof space that would be perfect for solar installations and CHP and could provide realistic hands-on training for students to enter the workforce. In the districts 30 million dollar per year energy budget, 55.5% of that goes to electricity costs. If the electricity bill alone could be negated, it would be a savings of 16.65 million dollars that could be re-invested into additional efficiency programs. At least that’s on my wish list.

If, for example, the government mandates future home sales to meet minimum efficiency compliance, it will need government certified energy auditors or inspectors to ensure that compliance. My business idea would be to set up training centers across the United States to produce certified auditors or inspectors, because financial institutions will need them in order to process mortgages.

 

http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/f/facilities/programs–services/energy-management

http://pennsylvania.educationbug.org/public-schools/

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105326

One thought on “pcm5122, lesson 3, energy efficiency policy

  1. I agree with you that education is an enormous part about where we should start energy efficiency. I know that some education is geared towards learning things like “turning off the lights when you leave a room, and shut off the sink while you brush your teeth.” But not nearly as much information is given as is needed to properly educate people on the status of and need for energy efficiency. This change needs to take place now, beginning with government and adults, and will filter down to the children.
    The link to my blog is: http://sites.psu.edu/engr312/2014/09/17/671/

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