SRR partners with schools to save electricity

In the near future, taxpayers can expect to save about $190,000 a year and avoid another $400,000, all in electricity cost savings, thanks to a partnership between the Aiken County School District and Savannah River Remediation (SRR) LLC.

To reach those significant savings, SRR provided its expertise in the Six Sigma process as an additional tool for the Aiken County School District's Energy Committee to employ in order to reduce energy usage throughout the district.

Six Sigma is a comprehensive and flexible system for achieving, sustaining and maximizing business success, driven by close understanding of customer needs coupled with disciplined use of data and statistical analysis.

After reviewing various areas that might yield cost savings, the district and SRR agreed that some of the largest savings could come from the cost of utilities, specifically electricity usage, a large line item for the district.

The SRR consultants and the district's Energy Committee began working on the task, which included some work the Energy Committee had already undertaken.

When combining the results of the Six Sigma project with the additional efforts of the Energy Committee, the district is estimating total savings of about $190,000 and a cost avoidance of approximately $400,000 for 2009.

The total implementation capital costs are expected to cost about $10,000. Those costs are mostly for more energy-efficient lighting and thermostat changes.

In addition, savings were found in multiple areas:

* Placing reminder labels on light switches to encourage conservation

* Installing programmable thermostats

* Holding summer programs in the most energy-efficient schools

* Minimizing square footage of schools used during summer school

Deputy Superintendent David Caver said he was appreciative of SRR offering the opportunity to access its consultants in Six Sigma to bring significant cost savings to the district at no charge from SRR.

"Our staff does a great job in operating the district's day-to-day activities in a cost-effective and efficient manner," Caver said. "However, it is always a benefit to take advantage of strengths offered by community partners, such as SRR. They were professional, accurate and timely in all they did for us. I look forward to future endeavors with them.

"Their expertise will help us meet state-developed energy savings guidelines. Also, in these lean budget times, we are thankful we can reduce electrical usage, as opposed to further reductions in other education areas," Caver added.

Jim French, SRR president and project manager, said his company wanted to reach out to the school district in a meaningful way. He underscored the fact that SRR enjoys its continued positive relationship with the community.

"SRR has, in essence, through this Six Sigma effort, helped put hundreds of thousands of dollars into the bank account of the Aiken County School District," French said. "One of the great things about this effort is that the district continues to build on those savings year after year. In these hard budget times, I am pleased we could help in such a meaningful way."

Caver also pointed out that the school district's dedication to energy conservation through their formation of an energy committee and their partnership with SRR has resulted in the district receiving a $580,000 energy grant.