Pittsburgh, Norristown Named 'Pathways to Green Schools' Pilot Districts

School Renovation Projects to Save Energy, Reduce Operating Costs

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Education has chosen the school districts of Norristown and Pittsburgh to be the first "Pathways to Green Schools" pilot projects to receive technical assistance and consulting services for their green and sustainable investments with federal recovery funds.

The Pathways project is a Rendell administration effort to help school districts and schools curb energy consumption and save taxpayer money through reduced operating costs. The initiative focuses on a range of policy, program and investment options school districts can make for buildings, energy use, food services and curriculum.

"We are excited to work with Norristown and Pittsburgh as they make investments that will have environmental and economic long-term benefits," said Michael Walsh, PDE's deputy secretary for administration. "As part of this pilot program, these districts will serve as a model for those who are considering undertaking similar projects, and we will share their best practices with school leaders throughout the state."  

The two districts will receive technical assistance from consultants provided through a partnership between the department and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, or DCIU, to aid school districts that are investing Recovery Act funds to make green and sustainable investments. Both school districts were awarded interest-free construction bonds for their projects under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"This work is another example how school districts in partnership with their regional intermediate units can consolidate resources and more efficiently use public funds to support their missions," said Dr. Lawrence O'Shea, Executive Director of DCIU.  "In this case, two school districts were able to invest in energy saving technologies using project management expertise from our partner Sustainable Program Management. The Pathways pilot project is giving a boost to these school districts toward energy and operational cost savings."

The Norristown Area School District is working to modernize the existing Norristown High School, built in 1973. Recovery Act funds are being used for a comprehensive upgrade to building-systems to achieve energy savings, improved comfort and reduced operating costs.  Roofs, air handlers and building controls will be replaced and upgraded, and officials are considering adding other sustainable features such as demonstration rain gardens, green screens and community gardens.

The Pittsburgh School District is incorporating sustainable features and practices at the Northview Elementary School, built in the 1960s, and the Pittsburgh Oliver High School, built in the 1920s.  Both projects anticipate employing geothermal systems to replace the existing fossil fuel heating and cooling systems.  Both also anticipate roof and window replacements. Other sustainable features including demonstration rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, community gardens and demonstration photovoltaic systems are also under consideration.

Both projects will seek third-party validation through the U.S. Green Building Council's (www.usgbc.org) LEED rating system and anticipate achieving certification upon completion of the upgrades.

Learn more about Pathways to Green Schools at www.pathwaystogreenschools.org.

Media contact: Steve Weitzman, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education