The Oklahoma City Public School District was recently presented with more than $450,000 as a result of its partnership with OG&E in several energy efficiency programs.
The check represented savings and rebates for its participation in the programs.
“Research shows that enrollment in an energy efficiency program provides schools up to 20% in annual savings,” said Jeannette Staden, senior program manager at OG&E. “We’re helping energize education in Oklahoma and Arkansas by helping schools save on their energy bills. Our programs help schools become more efficient and save on energy costs, freeing up funds that can go more directly toward educating students.”
Since 2016, OG&E has implemented 3,888 energy-saving measures for school districts across Oklahoma and western Arkansas, resulting in more than $6 million in savings and rebates to participating schools that saved an estimated total of 64.75 million kWh of energy. More than 30 schools in the electric company’s service area currently participate in one or more of the Schools & Government Energy Efficiency (SAGE) Programs, and OG&E hopes to expand the programs to more schools, particularly in rural communities, in the future.
“OG&E has always been a supportive community partner to OKCPS,” said OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel. “Our team has worked closely with OG&E to ensure that our schools are maximizing energy efficiency across the district and as a result, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in rebates. We’re grateful for OG&E’s ongoing investment in local education.”
While OG&E’s dedicated energy efficiency programs for schools began in 2013, the electric company has a long history of supporting and investing in local education. In addition to offering energy efficiency programs to schools, the company also funds student scholarships and teacher projects, provides classrooms with energy education materials and partners with educational institutions to cultivate a pipeline of strong industry professionals.
OG&E also offers the LivingWise Program, a household energy curriculum, to students in 5th grade in Oklahoma and 6th grade in Arkansas, as well as E-Smart Kids, free programming that teaches k-6 students about electricity, energy and how to use it safely through information, games and activities. To learn more about how OG&E invests in education across its service area, visit oge.com/education.
“Being a good partner to our school districts and investing in education is a critical component of our commitment to bettering and growing the communities we serve,” said Staden. “Helping schools save money and energy is one of the most important ways we can support our students, teachers and classrooms.”
The picture includes:
Left to Right: Cameron Golshani, CLEAResult Program Coach; Scott Randall, OKCPS Chief Operating Officer; Stephanie Coleman, OG&E Community Relations Coordinator; Jarrel Morton, OGE Energy Corp. Account Executive; Joe Koster, OKCPS Energy Conservation Manager; Leon Hill, OKCPS Executive Director Operations; Jo Patton, CLEAResult Program Manager and Dr. Sean McDaniel, OKCPS Superintendent celebrate the district’s energy efficiency rebates and savings.