TEP Pilot Program Helps Local Schools Save with Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is working with more than two dozen local schools to install energy efficiency upgrades that help can reduce energy use, lower electric bills and brighten up learning environments for children.

High-efficiency lighting and other improvements are being installed at no cost to local schools through the TEP Schools Energy Efficiency Pilot Program, which was approved in February by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). The pilot program is designed to help local elementary and secondary schools that lack the financial resources to pay for energy efficiency projects. Its $1 million budget is funded by TEP customers through the Demand Side Management (DSM) surcharge on monthly bills.

TEP received applications from nine public school districts representing 196 schools and 28 charter school organizations representing 35 schools. Preference was given to schools that have not recently improved their energy efficiency and demonstrated the greatest potential for energy savings.

On-site energy assessments were performed at several schools to identify energy-saving opportunities and associated costs. Upgrade installations began last month and will continue next year. In most cases, energy-efficient light bulbs and lighting fixtures will be installed. Participating schools include:

• Academy Adventures Elementary School, 3902 N. Flowing Wells Road
• Academy of Tucson Elementary School, 9209 E. Wrightstown Road
• Academy of Tucson High School, 10720 E. 22nd St.
• Academy of Tucson Middle School, 7310 E. 22nd St.
• Alice F. Dunham Elementary School, 9850 E. 29th St.
• Anza Trail School, 15490 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd.
• Basis Oro Valley, 11129 N. Oracle Road
• Canyon Rose Academy, 2401 S. Wilmot Road
• Desert Rose Academy, 326 W. Fort Lowell Road
• Elizabeth Borton Primary Magnet School, 700 E. 22nd St.
• Empire High School, 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way
• Frank Borman Elementary School, 6630 E. Lightning Drive
• Holladay Magnet Elementary School, 1110 E. 33rd St.
• Ida Flood Dodge Traditional Magnet Middle School, 5831 E. Pima St.
• Jack Thoman Air and Space Academy, 730 W. Calle Arroyo Sur
• Lifelong Learning Academy, 3295 W. Orange Grove Road
• Marion Donaldson Elementary School, 2040 W. Omar Drive
• Math & Science Success Academy, 434 W. Lerdo Road
• Mountain Rose Academy, 3686 W. Orange Grove Road
• Painted Sky Elementary School, 12620 N. Woodburne Ave.
• Pima Rose Academy, 1690 W. Irvington Road
• Richard B. Wilson K-8 School, 2330 W. Glover Road
• Sam Hughes Elementary School, 700 N. Wilson Ave.
• Sonoran Science Academy, 2325 W. Sunset Road
• Sonoran Science Academy Broadway K-8, 6880 E. Broadway Blvd.
• Southern Arizona Community Academy, 2470 N. Tucson Blvd.
• Teenage Parent High School, 102 N. Plumer Ave.

In addition to this new pilot program, TEP has helped more than 120 local schools identify and implement energy-saving upgrades through its Commercial Energy Solutions program. That program was launched in 2008 and covers up to 75 percent of costs for efficient chillers and HVAC equipment, variable frequency drives, room occupancy controls and other improvements. TEP also gives energy efficiency presentations and educational materials to local schools.

TEP’s customer-funded EE programs are reviewed and approved by the ACC and have been proven to be cost-effective for all customers – not just those who participate – by reducing TEP’s long-term need for new energy resources. A complete list of current programs is available at tep.com/efficiency.

TEP’s EE programs have produced significant environmental benefits by helping customers to save more than 812,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) – enough energy to power nearly 82,000 homes for a year. These savings help TEP work toward the goals in Arizona’s Energy Efficiency Standard, which calls on utilities to achieve cumulative energy savings of 22 percent by 2020. Participation helps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in reduced air emissions and water usage.

TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to approximately 417,000 customers in southern Arizona. To learn more, visit tep.com. TEP, UES and their parent company, UNS Energy, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., which owns utilities that serve more than 3 million customers across Canada and in the United States and the Caribbean. To learn more, visit fortisinc.com.

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