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School Bloard approves solar energy project for 6 schools
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With a 4-1 vote (Board Member Patricia Martinez Roach voted no), the East Side Union High School Board has approved a solar energy project for six schools in the district, according to Board Member Frank Biehl who attended the Independence High School Site Council Meeting last week.
The approved $24.1 million solar project sites for Phase 1 are the Andrew Hill High School, Evergreen Valley High School, Foothill High School, Independence High School, Santa Teresa High School, and W.C. Overfelt High School.
Biehl explained that the project has the potential to improve revenue and at the same time decrease expenses for the district. Based on the plan, "the solar/renewable energy installation project exchanges a monetary asset (money) for facilities/equipment assets (solar equipment) but upon completion and once in operation, it can decrease the demand on operational funds (for energy costs) while providing revenues (renewable energy credit) to the district".
This solar investment costs $24.1 million but provides a net return of $37.7 million. In the first five years, $8 million will be available to support students in the classroom.
"With solar we will be spending more money on our students and less on electricity," exclaimed East Side Union High School District Trustee Frank Biehl. "This solar investment is good for the environment and good for our schools. When it comes to educational finance, we need to think outside the box," Biehl added.
The Board has contracted Chevron Energy Solutions, to work with PG & E, for a solar services contract for the design and building of a district solar installation project.
A plan for the other six schools in the district is underway. There are 12 high schools under the East Side Union High School District.
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