MCCSC receives $1,400 donation from Duke

Duke Energy recently awarded the Monroe County Community School Corporation $1,400 for energy-saving efforts.

They will purchase new technology, such as meters that will allow the corporation to monitor its energy usage constantly instead of at the end of each month. Extended Services Coordinator Debbie Moore said the meters can help the corporation identify costs at times of peak energy usage.

“We look at MCCSC as one of the leaders in the state that we serve, especially south-central Indiana,” said Jeff Honaker, account manager at Duke, in a press release.

“Duke Energy wanted to recognize MCCSC for its sustainability and energy efficiency programs, and we wanted to help support the continuing growth in those areas.”

Beverly Smith, MCCSC director of school and community services, said MCCSC worked closely on environment-friendly projects with Duke Energy for many years.

Smith said the corporation participated in a tree planting about two years ago, and Duke helped them acquire the materials they needed.

“Our relationship with Duke Energy is an example of community and schools working together,” MCCSC Superintendent Judy DeMuth said. “We appreciate their continued support and recognition of our energy conservation strategies.”

Moore said another initiative is getting people to use less. Building energy used to be utilized between eight and 10 hours per day, but the number has since been reduced to six, which is about the amount of time the building is occupied. Temperatures are also set lower when no one is in the building.

Honaker said MCCSC has long-term plans for becoming more sustainable and cost efficient. He said the corporation looked at their schools and decided how they were going to replace the equipment once it could no longer be used.

“We are very proud to know Duke has recognized us for our efforts,” Smith said.
Duke funded a contractor to inform administration members of elementary schools of ways they could conserve energy.

In January 2012, Honaker said Duke came out with programs to help their customers become more energy-efficient.

“We do a lot of funding and donations in the community,” he said.