On The Topic – How should the School District approach alternative energy?

Why is The Benicia School District considering alternative energy generation?  One, it’s the right thing to do.  The School District should be environmentally friendly and set a good example in our community and especially for our children.

Since the budget crisis started the State has been withholding more than 20% of our funding.  This is about $6 million a year.  Total Revenue has been dropping over the last 4 years.  The District’s limited resources are better spent on teachers and education than utility bills.  We spend approximately $650,000 a year on gas and electricity.  Each 12% reduction ($78,000) in our PG&E bill equals an average teacher’s annual salary and benefits. 

Alternative energy generation is expensive.  The equipment necessary for a project could cost millions if not tens of millions of dollars.

Alternative energy generation is not a mission critical activity for the school district.  District staff is diligent, dedicated and intelligent but does not have specific technical expertise and industry experience needed to evaluate, design, finance, construct, or operate the equipment.  Much of the financial feasibility requires the use and reallocation of complicated tax credits.

At the May 19th School Board meeting the Board agreed to form an ad hoc citizen advisory committee to help evaluate alternatives.  The board adopted the following broad guidelines:

• Draw on our community for expertise to evaluate alternatives. Do not spend limited resources on expensive outside consultants.
• Not own, operate, maintain or dispose of the equipment.  Limit our participation to providing a site for the equipment.
• Generate a meaningful known fixed income stream. Either as dollars per month or as a percentage reduction in our PG&E bill.

If you are interested and want to participate contact Betty Jensen at the BUSD offices 748-2611 or bjensen@beniciaunified.org