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Yazoo County Schools Reach $500K Energy Savings

Published Date
Author Jenna Bieller

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation today announced Yazoo County Schools in Yazoo City, MS, has reached a $500,000 savings milestone resulting from a comprehensive facilities improvement project. Schneider Electric presented a Savings Milestone Award to the Yazoo County Schools Board of Education to recognize the district’s strides in energy conservation since the start of the project in 2015.

“We’re excited to work with Schneider Electric to not only make much-needed upgrades to the learning environment, but reinvest savings in tangible changes that benefit our students and staff,” said Dr. Ken Barron, superintendent, Yazoo County Schools. “We are guaranteed to see over $2.5 million in savings throughout our partnership and will continue to work with Schneider to see more positive results in the future.”

For many years, Yazoo County Schools struggled with a growing list of deferred maintenance challenges, including equipment on the verge of failure and outdated technology. To address these issues, the district turned to Schneider Electric to conduct a comprehensive energy audit and develop a customized energy efficiency plan. Savings came from a wide variety of measures to three of its buildings that improved energy efficiency by 26 percent and enhanced the learning environment, including:

  • Brightening classrooms, hallways, gyms and outdoor spaces with energy efficient lighting and controls

  • Streamlining operations with a new district-wide building automation system

  • New HVAC and boiler system and updated drop ceiling to improve occupant comfort, including a high efficiency VRF System at the high school for increased indoor air quality

  • An IT enterprise management system to reduce energy consumption from computers

  • Updated plumbing fixtures to conserve water usage

The project was funded through an energy savings performance contract (ESPC), which uses the cost savings achieved to pay for infrastructure improvements. This enables cash-strapped school districts to tackle deferred maintenance projects and much-needed modernization upgrades without raising taxes in the local community.

“Yazoo is leading the way in leveraging energy conservation and facilities modernization efforts to drive innovation changes for their students, staff and larger community, said Tammy Fulop, Vice President, Schneider Electric. “We look forward to continuing to work with Yazoo to maximize their energy savings to continually drive new improvements for years to come.”

In addition to the facilities improvements, the project delivers a significant environmental impact, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 507 tons, which is equivalent to removing 109 cars from the road or powering 65 homes.

Schneider Electric has a proven track record of assisting school districts with comprehensive energy and operational cost savings projects. Across Mississippi and Alabama, Schneider Electric has implemented over $230M in energy efficiency projects and helped public entities secure over $60M in energy-related grants, rebates and funding over the past 13 years. In addition to its work with Yazoo County Schools, Schneider Electric has partnered with dozens of school districts in the state including Biloxi Public Schools, Pearl River County Schools, Lowndes County Schools, New Albany Public Schools, Stone County Schools and Marshall County Schools.

Over the past 25 years, Schneider Electric has successfully implemented more than 675 ESPC projects across the nation, saving its clients nearly $2 billion. This project delivery method helps publicly funded entities make capital improvements over longer payback periods and offers many long-term benefits such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management and environmental protection.

For more information on how Schneider Electric helps K-12 schools tackle their top priorities with energy efficiency, please visit www.enable.schneider-electric.com.