Resource Efficiency Awareness Program - REAP

Tips for Energy Management
Wise energy management is good for everyone. It contributes to the national goal of energy conservation, therefore extending the life of our available natural resources. It helps preserve our environment. Reducing the demand for electricity will reduce the amounts of emissions that power plants add to the air. This will also reduce the number of new power plants that will need to be built. Whatever we can do to modify our behavior and become more conscious of how electricity is used and wasted will benefit us all.
Tips for Energy Management...

What is REAP?
REAP is an important, low-cost program to reduce TUSD’s utility expenditures by encouraging conservation by each staff member at each site. It was first adopted by the TUSD Governing Board in 1991. Since then, it has saved the District $6.3 million in utility costs.

Did you know that primary and secondary schools spend approximately $6 billion on energy annually? Here is how you can pitch in to help the District, your school, the community and the environment:

• Reduce unnecessary use of energy and water. You can help by turning off unneeded lights, making sure doors and windows are shut, and reporting any water leaks immediately.
• Start an Energy Patrol at your school. Several TUSD schools participate in Tucson Electric Power Company's Energy Patrol program. Your school's Energy Patrol can be a student council, an after-school club, or some other special group of about 10-20 students who work with an advisor to learn about saving energy, and then patrol the school to implement what they've learned. The Energy Patrol checks classrooms, office areas, portables and storerooms at recess, lunch and after school to turn off unneeded lights, see that thermostats remain at appropriate temperatures, notice that windows and doors are positioned for maximum efficiency and report dripping faucets and other water leaks.
• Turn your school’s conservation efforts into money for the school. There is a total of more than $50,000 per year that will be awarded to schools achieving a 5% per year reduction in utility costs.
• Apply for the award by following the information in the Resource Efficiency Awareness Program regulation (available in In MS Word | In Adobe PDF).
• Encourage Commingled Recycling. TUSD is reducing solid waste produced by schools and sites by encouraging commingled recycling. Commingled recycling allows recycled materials such as paper, corrugated cardboard, and milk cartons to be intermixed in the recycling containers. Sites can request blue bin-recycling containers for use in offices and classrooms to maintain or increase their participation in the recycling program.

In addition to REAP, the District also has a new Energy Conservation Policy. Per this policy, TUSD will be increasing the number of solar sites by installing photovoltaic systems at two sites per year over the next five years. These systems can be integrated into curricula and used as a learning tool for the whole TUSD community. For additional information, please contact Tina Cook at 225-4673 or tina.cook@tusd1.org.

Mission Statement
Everyone in TUSD can manage energy, water, and waste more wisely to improve both student and school facility performance. We all benefit by practicing better environmental and economic stewardship.

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For more information contact:
Tucson Unified School District, 1010 E. 10th Street, Tucson AZ 85719
Telephone: 520-225-6000
E-Mail: webmaster@tusd1.org