It
is my pleasure to announce the launch of the Cambridge Green Schools
Initiative (CGSI). This fall, under the directorship of newly appointed
sustainability manager, Kristen von Hoffmann, CGSI will collectively
unite and mobilize sustainability efforts across the District. The
initiative takes into account sustainable operations, design, and
practice among all of our schools, and utilizes our new District website
and weekly e-mails for up-to-date communications. The initiative is
based upon the PFEWG™ model for sustainability that encompasses all operations in the categories of Products, Food, Energy, Waste, and Greenspace.
The Cambridge Green Schools Initiative aims to reduce the district’s
energy usage, reduce carbon output, and save money through detailed data
collection and measurement, quantitative analysis, and maintenance crew
training, much of which is already underway. Since 2008, the Facilities
Department under director Dana Ham has implemented environmental
practices in building maintenance and custodial services, including a
state-of-the art green cleaning program, updated pest-management plans,
and storm water management. In partnership with the Department of Public
Works the schools all have single-stream recycling and a yearly
waste-reduction competition, as well as composting programs.
Environmental sustainability has also been a tenet of all new building
projects, including the renovation of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High
School and the War Memorial Recreation Center which are in the process
of becoming LEED-certified for efficient use of water, materials, and
energy.
Additionally,
The Cambridge Public School Department in partnership with the DPW, the
DOER Green Communities Grant Program, NSTAR Electric, and Prism Energy
has implemented over the past two years and continues to implement
energy efficiency projects to reduce usage and save money. The focus has
been on implementing energy efficiency activities by means of Lighting
and HVAC Measures. Lighting upgrades have consisted primarily of the
installation of high efficiency lamps, ballasts and occupancy sensors by
means of retrofitting existing lighting fixtures. HVAC projects have
related to the installation and upgrade of heating and cooling
mechanisms and DDC (direct digital control) systems that allow for more
control over systems being turned on/off, and temperature control, thus
enabling greater energy savings.
Over the past two years the City has completed the following energy
efficiency projects for the schools. The Longfellow School installed a
high efficiency condensing boiler. The new boiler replaced inefficient
and failing equipment. The Baldwin School, Haggerty School,
Kennedy-Longfellow School, and Peabody School have installed high
efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors. At present, the schools are
almost complete with a district-wide DDC integration, which allows for a
centralized and more efficient means of digitally controlling HVAC
systems within the schools from remote locations. Upcoming projects,
some of which have just begun, include lighting retrofits to the War
Memorial Recreational Building, the Morse School, and the Solomon
Garage. Together, these projects total on estimated yearly savings of
881,282 kWh and $132,161.73.
For more information, please contact the CPSD Office for Sustainability, Facilities Department, Kristen von Hoffmann, Sustainability Manager at 617.349.6856.
Visit the CGSI web site >>