New Grant Funds Study Of JHS Energy Use

is one of 53 high schools in Rhode Island whose energy usage will be reviewed as part of a Bryant University program funded by a grant from the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund.

The $123,244 grant will pay for evaluations of each school's energy consumption and recommend ways that the schools can achieve "net-zero" status, meaning they would generate at least as much energy as they use, according to a Bryant University press release.

“Our goal is to provide a roadmap for every public high school and career and technical center in Rhode Island that will help them get as close as possible to net-zero energy through practical and cost-effective use of renewable systems,” Project Manager Bob Chew, chief energy consultant at R.W. Chew, LLC, said in the statement. “When combined with conservation measures, energy-efficient retrofits and a new appreciation about the many benefits resulting from saving energy, the collective impact across the state will be significant.”

With the recent decision to with new, more efficient boilers and water heaters and switch to natural gas from oil, local officials have already begun the work to lower energy costs there.

School Supt. Dr. Bernard DiLullo told the school committee at its November meeting that a new gas line has been installed, and the asbestos removed from the boiler room.

Bryant University also announced that it has scheduled a meeting to discuss the results of the energy surveys in February.