HAZEL GREEN – It’s said that money talks, and Hazel Green High School is hearing what Huntsville Utilities and the Tennessee Valley Association are saying.
Thursday, Huntsville Utilities announced the high school was awarded a $210,000 Building Energy Upgrade and Learning Environment Grant through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s School Uplift program.
“The grant is gonna help us to conserve energy here at Hazel Green High School,” said Dr. Quinn Headen, the school’s principal. “Our goal right now is to replace all of our lights with LED lights, and also upgrade our HVAC systems. So all of that is going to help us save on energy and and save money on our power bills.”
Since 2021, TVA’s $7.87 million School Uplift program has helped 225 public schools in the seven-state region solve that problem.
“Huntsville Utilities has a wonderful working relationship with TVA, and School Uplift is yet another way we work together to invest in our community,” said Wes Kelley, president and CEO of Huntsville Utilities. “We are thrilled for Hazel Green High School on earning this grant, which will enable the improvement of facilities, making the school more efficient, healthy, and comfortable for educators and their students.
“The faculty, staff, and students committed to prioritizing energy efficiency over the last school year earned this award through their focus and hard work.”
Headen said teacher Teresa Hodge and a group of students deserve credit for landing the grant the grant. The team spoke to other students and community members about how to curb energy usage.
“First, I have to take my hat off to Ms. Hodge and her students because they did a wonderful job in securing this grant for us,” Headen said. “She applied for the grant and she led a team of students who walked around with everyone (involved). When (grant administrators) came out to look at our building, the students showed them around the school.”
School Uplift’s year-long energy management training program helps public school districts make smart energy choices that improve the classroom learning environment and save money through decreased energy use. Participating schools compete to earn grants by cutting their energy waste through behavioral changes and by engaging students, faculty, staff, and community.
“Every dollar invested in our schools helps districts allocate resources to where it matters most – educating our children,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA’s Energy Services & Programs. “We’re inspired by the winners of this year’s School Uplift grants and proud of their dedication to reducing energy waste and building a sustainable future for us all.”
On average, participating schools have saved nearly 10% on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone. When savings from grant-funded energy upgrades are added, this year’s School Uplift participants have estimated total energy savings of 9 GWh or the amount of electricity used by 1,241 homes in one year.
Recently, TVA’s School Uplift program was recognized as a 2024 Energy Star Partner of the Year, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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