Puyallup School District Secures Energy Grants for Three Schools

The Washington State Department of Commerce's Clean Buildings Program has recently awarded Puyallup School District (PSD) three significant energy grants. These grants aim to help the district comply with the new state-mandated Clean Buildings Performance Standard by conducting energy audits at Aylen Junior High, Glacier View Junior High School, and Rogers High School. These audits will identify energy efficiency improvements, paving the way for more sustainable energy consumption and long-term cost savings.

The Clean Buildings Act: A Statewide Initiative

The Washington State Clean Buildings Act is an ambitious legislative effort designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the state. Commercial buildings, including public schools like those in the Puyallup School District, are the second-largest contributor to Washington's energy consumption, following transportation. To address this, the Clean Buildings Act introduces Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets, which measure how much energy a building consumes per square foot.

Public schools must comply with these new standards over the next few years. Puyallup High School will be the first to meet the requirement by 2026. Several other schools, including Rogers High School and Aylen Junior High, will follow by 2027.

Meeting Energy Goals Through Audits

To comply with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard, schools must meet EUI targets or demonstrate compliance by investing in cost-effective Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). PSD is tackling this through energy audits at the three grant-funded schools to assess current energy usage and identify improvement opportunities. The state's Clean Buildings Program funds the audits and will evaluate systems like lighting, heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC).

These audits are essential for PSD's compliance and will provide a roadmap for cost-effectively upgrading energy systems. The district can follow one of two compliance pathways: meeting the EUI targets or implementing necessary upgrades to meet investment criteria, focusing on achieving the highest energy savings relative to the investment cost.

"We are incredibly grateful to have secured these funds for the Puyallup School District. They will play a pivotal role in helping us meet state standards while enhancing our facilities to create better learning environments for students, ensuring their success now and in the future." – Brady Martin, Director of Capital Projects.

Aylen Junior High School

Aylen Junior High will undergo an energy audit funded through the Department of Commerce’s Energy Audits for Public Buildings program. A qualified energy consultant will conduct the audit, assessing various building systems to determine the most effective energy-saving measures. Recommendations will cover system upgrades such as HVAC, lighting, and building controls. The audit is expected to be completed by June 2025.

The total grant amount for this project is $56,100.

Glacier View Junior High School

Like Aylen, Glacier View Junior High School will also benefit from a Clean Buildings Program energy audit, with $53,390 in grant funding. The audit will examine the school's energy usage, identifying areas for improvement to help the district meet its energy reduction goals. The recommendations outline specific upgrades to ensure the school complies with state energy targets.

The total grant amount for this project is $53,390.

Rogers High School

Rogers High School, currently above its compliance energy use intensity (EUI) target, is among the schools benefiting from a comprehensive energy audit funded by the Department of Commerce’s Energy Audits for Public Buildings program. Historically, energy use in educational institutions has often tracked closely with compliance EUI targets. This audit will provide a detailed analysis of energy consumption and identify cost-effective solutions to help bring Rogers High School into compliance by the June 2027 deadline.

The total grant amount for this project is $95,400.

"Securing this grant funding provides much-needed relief to our capital budget, allowing us to focus on addressing more critical building needs that directly impact our students. This support strengthens our ability to create safe, updated learning environments that will serve our students well into the future, ensuring our schools remain strong for generations to come." – Dr. John Polm, Superintendent of Puyallup School District.

Moving Toward a More Sustainable Future

These grants signify a significant advancement for PSD in achieving state energy efficiency standards. The district can create a plan for reducing energy consumption and improving school sustainability through energy audits. By investing in these upgrades, PSD is working toward compliance with state law and contributing to the broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy costs in the long term.

The Puyallup School District is committed to ensuring its schools meet the highest energy efficiency and environmental sustainability standards. The Department of Commerce grants are a vital part of that effort, and the district looks forward to completing the necessary upgrades over the next few years.

To learn more about the Washington State Clean Buildings Act and its impacts on Puyallup schools' visit Washington State Clean Buildings Act and impacts on Puyallup schools - Puyallup School District (puyallupsd.org)

To learn more about our school construction and planning grants, visit School Construction & Planning Grants - Puyallup School District (puyallupsd.org)