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The district received the award after Scofield Magnet Middle School completed its LED project, becoming the state’s first 100 percent LED-powered school. The school hopes to reduce energy consumption by 340,000 kilowatts each year for the 15-year life of the product and save more than $70,000 a year in energy and management costs, according to a press release. Supplementary energy upgrades throughout the district also contributed to the award committee's decision.
Charlie Benzyk, Stamford’s energy manager, accepted the award on behalf of the Stamford Board of Education.
“I was extremely proud to accept this award on behalf of the Stamford Board of Education,” said Benzyk. “We have a great team of talented people and the Scofield LED retrofit is just one example of all the great things we do to reduce energy across the district and save money for our city. We hope other school districts will be inspired by the success of this project and the powerful energy saving potential of LED lights.”
State facility managers, town leaders, boards of education and stakeholders entered projects in five award categories: Top building, innovation, difference maker, performance contracting and breaking ground. Stamford received First Honors in the innovation category.
More than 20 state municipalities and agencies were celebrated at the ceremony, which was attended by legislators and members of the Power of Change Award committee.
Rob Klee, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, addressed the gathering of more than 100 participants reinforcing the importance of energy efficiency, both as a cost saving measure, but also as a key way to reduce carbon emissions.
“The cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use,” said Klee.
The sponsors of the Power of Change Award are the Common Sense Fund, Hampshire Foundation and the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.
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