Sampson County Schools was recently recognized for their efforts in saving energy. Those actions were worth more than $1 million.

The district received recognition from Cenergistic during a Monday meeting for the Board of Education held at Roseboro Elementary School. Dr. Larry Price, Cenergistic division vice president and marketing specialist, presented Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy and other school leaders with a Energy Excellence Award. Price said it was a significant because it took a collaborative effort to have a successful program which saves energy. Faculty and staff achieved more than $1.53 million in cost savings in 34 months since forming a strategic alliance with Cenergistic.

“Reaching this mark is certainly very significant,” Price said about receiving strong support from school officials. “Dr. Bracy and his staff have been very important parts of this. The staffs and faculties at schools have attributed to that savings as well.”

Bracy said managing energy use and instituting energy-saving practices are paying dividends for Sampson County Schools and the environment.

“As we work to prepare our young people for bright futures, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the environment is safe and sound,” Bracy said. “We appreciate the support of Cenergistic and are proud to be recognized with this Energy of Excellence Award.”

Cenergistic is a conservation company that helps organizations reduce consumption of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water. Through technology, data work and promoting changes towards energy behavior, clients save 20 percent to 30 percent on expected utility bills. For about a decade, Cenergistic earned a national recognition from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, including the Energy Star Partner of the Year.

Dr. William S. Spears, chairman and founder of Cenergistic, said reaching the savings mark is a significant milestone.

“Sampson County Schools has achieved success by consistently implementing the organizational behavior-based approach to energy conservation and maintaining productive efforts at all levels of the organization,” Spears stated. “The superintendent and board, along with other administration, faculty and staff members are to be commended for clearly fulfilling their commitment to being good stewards of taxpayers’ money and the environment.”

He added that strong support from Bracy and the board created an atmosphere of cooperation that should continue to grow and ensure great success in the future.

“I am extremely pleased to present Sampson County Schools with our Energy Excellence Award,” Spears said. “The district joins a very committed group of organizations across the country working hard to achieve energy savings so the dollars saved can be redirected to educational needs.”

Energy Specialist Scott Burgin tracks energy consumption using energy-accounting software. Those factors include electricity, water, sewer, natural gas and fuel oil. His work compares current energy use to a baseline period and calculates the amount of energy that would have been used had conservation and management practices not been implemented. By tracking the usage, Burgin can quickly find and correct issued that need to be addressed.

“He has has the been the eyes and ears and boots on the ground of this program since we started,” Price said. “Scott has done a really good job and we just like to recognize people who stay true to the commitment that you made when you singed a contract with Cenergistic in 2013.”

According to officials, a key benefit of the program is that cost comes out of the existing utility budget, with savings projected to go above and beyond when it comes to paying for the program. Additional savings may be directed towards other parts of the budget. Many organizations credit the program with helping to keep personnel and programs that would otherwise been cut from the budget.

Now in its fourth year, the program’s contract is scheduled to end in Fall 2017.

“But the culture that gets built around energy savings will continue for a long time and it will have a positive impact,” Price said. “We all know that money is scarce and when the county commissioners and others provide money and you are good stewards of that public money, that makes a big difference. It helps you as you try to communicate that with your public.”

Price said it also helps the environment when it comes to the carbon footprint.

“We all know how important that is,” Price said. “Whether you believe in global warming or not or Whether you have some other opinion, the fact is that if we use less energy, there are negative by-products that goes into our environment. So that’s a good thing as well.”

Sampson County Schools and Board of Education members receive an honor for energy-efficient efforts. Pictured, from left, is Dr. Larry Price of Cenergistic; Ben Wright, board attorney; Scott Burgin, energy specialist; Board Vice Chair Kim Schmidlin; Mary Brown, board member; Dewain Sinclair, board member; Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy; Tim Register, board members; and Chairman Telfair Simpson.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Energy-Award-1.jpgSampson County Schools and Board of Education members receive an honor for energy-efficient efforts. Pictured, from left, is Dr. Larry Price of Cenergistic; Ben Wright, board attorney; Scott Burgin, energy specialist; Board Vice Chair Kim Schmidlin; Mary Brown, board member; Dewain Sinclair, board member; Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy; Tim Register, board members; and Chairman Telfair Simpson.

By Chase Jordan

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