“I can help.” Startled, Stu and Cassie stopped short in front of an HVAC vent. They could’ve sworn the voice came from behind the vent! “I said that I can help,” the voice repeated. “Did you say you need help?” Cassie ventured. “No, no. I’m Bill, Bill Dingh. I’ve watched you two grow up since kindergarten. You know, there is a way to save your favorite programs. Your school district is spending way too much money on energy to keep me going. We can fix that,” Bill advised.
“Right now, energy costs are the second greatest expense for our district, right after personnel. Think about it; my HVAC and electrical systems run 24 hrs. 365 days a year. So there’s a huge opportunity to reduce costs through greater efficiencies and rooftop solar. And speaking of solar, did you know that one in ten schools across the country use solar to help reduce costs? That includes almost 250 schools in Wisconsin. Maybe it’s time our district gets on board,” the school’s spirit concluded.
The following Monday, Cassie and Stu’s teacher announced the Penny-Smart & Earth-Wise Story contest sponsored by Driftless Area Land Conservancy and The Dodgeville Chronicle. This contest awards cash prizes to the entrants who tell the best “story” as to why their school should look into better efficiencies and solar. The “story” can be an actual written or oral story, or it could be a demonstration, model or presentation of some sort, whatever will help nudge the school district to act. On top of that, districts that do take steps to save energy will receive some “seed money” to kick things off, and their students earn double the prize money! All high school students in Iowa County are invited to enter. They can check with their teachers for details.
“It would be so cool to have solar on our school!” Cassie practically cheered. “It’s one of the fastest growing industries in the country, so we could learn so much. And besides, we’d be helping protect our only home; it’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”
Details at - www.driftlessconservancy.org/our-energy-future