Ottawa School District to Begin Energy Awareness Training

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (August 24, 2007) - Custom Energy today announced that Ottawa Unified School District #290 has elected to move forward with an energy awareness training program with the goal of reducing the district’s utility costs. After doing what they could on their own to save energy, the district determined that bringing in an outside consultant made good sense. 

“We’re not lacking in our desire to save energy, we just need somebody to train us on what to do and to leave us with a program we can continue to implement many years down the road,” stated Dean Katt, Superintendent of Schools for USD #290. “Being good stewards of our valuable energy resources sets a positive example for our students. It’s something they can take with them and apply in their own homes.” 

The program will kick-off in early September and last for one year. The training goes much deeper than just common sense energy saving techniques, and focuses a lot of effort on saving energy during unoccupied school hours. It is expected to pay for itself in the first year through the energy savings it creates. 

“We were pleased that the district took the initiative to contact us,” stated Terry Divine, energy awareness manager for Custom Energy. “It was apparent in their gas bills that they had already begun doing several things last year that were saving them money. With that kind of commitment, I expect their savings to continue to increase going forward.” 

Divine, who has over 15 years’ experience in the energy industry (three as the energy manager for the Blue Valley School District), knows first hand how effective these programs can be when implemented properly. “At Blue Valley, we saw a savings of 16% the first year and 24% by the end of the third year.” 

Every year, public institutions in Kansas avoid over 102 million pounds of harmful greenhouse gas emissions due to programs implemented by Custom Energy, which are designed to save energy and create more sustainable environments for the future. That’s the equivalent of removing more than 10,000 cars from the road or preserving nearly 400 acres of forest from deforestation every year1. 

About Custom Energy 

Custom Energy is an independently owned energy services company specializing in a wide range of energy-efficiency solutions.  Its services are focused on identifying and implementing energy and operational cost saving ideas, while improving the quality of facilities for public and private sector clients nationwide.  More information about Custom Energy is located online at www.customenergy.com.