Great News. The Canajoharie Central School District has recently been awarded a grant to extend the position of the District Energy Management Coordinator until June of 2025. The extension of this position will allow the District to continue energy advancement and provide resources for implementation of energy projects such as project development and funding acquisition for Alternative and Renewable Energy.
This extension will also continue the Energy Curriculum component that involves speaking and demonstrating to students and staff about energy along with topics for everyday life. This energy exposure will provide future additions to the energy workforce and promote a “Greener” future in the community.
At the close of the 2022/2023 school year, the students have received lessons on energy uses and sources and been shown demonstrations on how efficient and renewable energy products can impact their lives for the better.
As the District approaches the 2027 State Mandated deadline for the conversion to Zero Emission School Buses, a full study of the transition is being prepared to determine the extent of effort and work required to accomplish this. The benefits of this transition eliminates the pollution associated with transportation activities for the students along with the communities the buses travel through.
The District has recently submitted a pre-application for funding to implement the East Hill Elementary School “Geothermal” (Ground Source Heat Pump) project that will decarbonize the heating process and add the benefit of cooling for the warmer months.
Adding to this project through a separate pre-application is a Small Scale, 100% Locally consumed Solar project to fully realize the savings and benefits of the “Geothermal” project. The District understands the communities stance on Solar Power Generation and is working diligently to design a system that will respect that standpoint while providing substantial savings and opportunities.
The District’s property in front of the Transportation Facility (bus garage) has been chosen as the site for this project because it is “Build Ready” with a short grid interconnection and no shadowing obstructions. The orientation of this site allows the panels to face away from the passing view eliminating any reflective glare and will be screened along the roadside to conceal its presence.
This project is deemed small scale at 696 Kilowatts and will produce a 849 Megawatt annual savings of electricity. This savings will allow for other decarbonization advancements that will have positive effects on the Indoor Air Quality of the schools, District energy expenses and the environment.
A preliminary study of the Grid Infrastructure upgrades that The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law may have provided for is underway for the proposed Solar project. If favorable upgrades have been completed, then the District can begin paving the way towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
The District is continuing to make energy advancements by improving Indoor Air Quality and conserving energy throughout the schools while the energy independence and decarbonization projects are being pursued.