April 17, 2014
Investing in Energy Efficient School Infrastructure
Energy Retrofits to Focus on Reducing Energy Consumption in Schools
Black & McDonald Ltd. of Mount Pearl has been awarded a $237,434 contract under the Energy Retrofits Pilot Project to upgrade the automated building systems at three schools – Indian River Academy in Springdale, Beaconsfield Junior High in St. John’s, and Clarenville High School – with a view to reducing energy consumption. It is the first in a series of contracts to be awarded for projects designed to improve energy efficiency at 10 schools.
“It is important to be aware of our environment, to conserve energy, and to explore green alternatives wherever possible. This initiative continues a historically unprecedented investment in new and existing school infrastructure designed to ensure students and staff are accommodated in safe and comfortable learning environments. It also furthers the work we having been doing on a regular basis as part of new school construction, redevelopments and renovations – such as adherence to LEED principles, improved insulation, the use of high quality windows, and the installation of heat recovery systems.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education
The Energy Retrofits Pilot Project is designed to identify and implement measures to improve energy efficiency in schools. Contracts based on pilot assessments will see certain upgrades at the pilot schools, such as improvements to heating and electrical systems, changes to reduce water consumption, the addition of insulation, or the installation of more energy-efficient lighting.
The 10 pilot schools were selected, in consultation with school districts, based on an energy utilization assessment which determined they had a high potential for savings. The schools are listed in the backgrounder below.
Minister Jackman further noted that Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook, also allocates $200,000 over two years for an education pilot project to raise awareness on energy consumption in schools, including the development of promotional material to support energy conservation behaviours.
Since 2004, over $681 million has been allocated for K-12 infrastructure, including $236 million for more than 1,900 repairs and maintenance projects, such as roofing, the replacement of windows and siding, and more. A total of 13 new schools have opened; nine more are in various stages of planning or construction; 26 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, and 11 more are underway.
QUICK FACTS
- Indian River Academy in Springdale, Beaconsfield Junior High in St. John’s, and Clarenville High School are the first three schools to undergo an energy assessment and upgrade as part of an Energy Retrofits Pilot Project.
- Black & McDonald Ltd. of Mount Pearl has been awarded a $237,434 contract under the pilot to upgrade the building systems at three schools – the first in a series of contracts to be awarded for various upgrades at 10 schools to be retrofitted under the project.
- The project is designed to identify energy efficiencies at existing schools.
- Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook provides over $128 million for educational infrastructure, continuing a historically unprecedented, systematic investment in new schools, extensions, redevelopments, renovations and repairs and maintenance.
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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Energy Retrofits Pilot Project Participants
| School | Community |
|---|---|
| English School District - Labrador Region | |
| Northern Lights Academy | Rigolet |
| English School District - Western Region | |
| St. Mary’s All-Grade | Mary’s Harbour |
| Canon Richards Memorial | Flower’s Cove |
| James Cook Memorial | Cook’s Harbour |
| English School District - Central Region | |
| St. Gabriel’s All Grade | St. Brendan’s |
| Indian River Academy | Springdale |
| English School District - Eastern Region | |
| Beaconsfield Junior High | St. John’s |
| Clarenville High | Clarenville |
| Donald C. Jamieson | Burin Bay Arm |
| Francophone School District | |
| École des Grands-Vents | St. John’s |
2014 04 17 10:45 a.m.