Guest Voices: A Passion for Protecting the Planet Leads to Healthier Schools and Budgets

March 21st, 2019

Diane Sweeney has been the Energy Management Specialist in HCPSS for 14 years, and previously served in a similar role for Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Environmental sustainability is a priority for the school system and Howard County as a whole. Here Sweeney answers some questions about HCPSS energy conservation efforts, and how they play an important role in achieving Strategic Call to Action goals for ensuring efficient operations and a safe and healthy learning environment.

How does HCPSS manage energy use?

Human behavior, equipment efficiency and building design are the main factors affecting the amount of energy used in any building. We focus on all of these factors to streamline our utilities costs, ensure schools and other buildings run efficiently and safely, and guide students in becoming good environmental stewards.

How does energy use impact the school system budget?

HCPSS currently spends close to $13 million per year in utilities. Notably, the average energy use per square foot within the school system has dropped by 15 percent since 2010, despite increasing student enrollment and building usage.

As our school system community has become more sustainably aware, more and more students and staff members have changed their behaviors, such as not propping open doors and windows, and turning off lights when rooms aren’t in use. We’re also a national leader in energy efficiency, with 44 of our schools earning Energy Star awards, LEED standards guiding all new school construction, and the majority of HCPSS schools serving as Green Schools. Furthermore, HCPSS has become a model for conservation by having its own sustainability policy.

What is your role?

I regularly support schools working toward Green School certification, and I provide schools with information to help them moderate their energy consumption. I am in charge of the energy use budget, so I monitor our systemwide energy consumption and make sure we are billed properly and track down spikes in use. When possible, I take on energy conservation projects by identifying and replacing aspects, such as lighting fixtures, that can bring down energy consumption for buildings with higher costs in that area.

How are students and staff involved?

Students and staff play an important role, both in reducing energy consumption and supporting the environment for the long term. Those at many schools are very involved in the Green School process, and some curriculum covers sustainability topics through art, history, math and science projects.

Also, our sustainability policy includes recycling, and our community takes advantage of Howard County recycling and composting options. Our students are incredibly diligent about recycling and are often our best environmental advocates.