READ about what schools across Kentucky are doing to take on green leadership roles.
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22 KENTUCKY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVE HYBRID BUSES
(August 2010)
Twenty-two public school districts across Kentucky will be adding 34 hybrid electric school buses to their fleets in August 2010. Districts were awarded approximately $2.1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for the hybrid additions based on criteria ensuring all districts a fair and equitable opportunity. Successful applicants will receive funding to cover the difference in purchase costs between regular diesel and hybrid buses.

* Apply for a Hybrid Bus for your school!
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Schools look to save money, help environment
(Herald-Leader, July 23, 2010)
 After a little figuring, Henry Clay High School officials concluded recently that they could save about $2,000 a year on electricity – and still meet state lighting requirements – by following a consulting firm’s suggestion to simply unscrew one fluorescent bulb in each lighting unit in many school hallways. “We could be putting money back into the education general fund, basically by doing nothing,” said Associate Principal Lester Dias. Henry Clay also is considering other steps, such as unplugging all unneeded electrical devices over summer break, shutting down the school’s 800 or so computers at 6 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. each school day, reducing heating and cooling settings, and turning off all unneeded corridor lights in the evenings. The ideas were offered by CMTA, a consulting firm hired by the school district to conduct an “energy audit” at Henry Clay. It’s all part of Fayette County Public Schools’ new sustainability initiative to promote more efficient energy use, make the district’s schools more environmentally friendly and integrate sustainability with school curriculums. Henry Clay and Rosa Parks Elementary School have been designated pilot schools for the effort, and both are working on energy-saving ideas developed with consultants’ help. Several other Fayette schools also are getting energy audits to identify ways they can save. The project, still in the planning stages, will shift into high gear after schools reopen Aug. 11.
Courtesy of: Bluegrass Greenworks
PDF Henry Clay HS

MORE ON CLFS:
An ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
HOW CFLs WORK
ALWAYS RECYCLE YOUR CFL, HERE’S WHY
HOME DEPOT has signed on to recyle CFLs. Look for a HOME DEPOT or CFL recycler near you EARTH 911.
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RUNYON ELEMENTARY OPENS RECYCLING CENTER
(East Kentucky PRIDE: June 2010)
Recycling is even more convenient in Pike County now, thanks to a new community recycling center at Runyon Elementary School. The school used a $4,000 PRIDE grant to launch the project.

The public is invited to drop off aluminum cans, cardboard, newspaper and plastic at the recycling building in the school parking lot, which is located at 24 Runyon Branch Road in Pinsonfork. The facility will be open year-round. The Pike County Solid Waste Office will pick up the materials each week. READ MORE
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