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Press-Journal Photo/ Debra Schell
MAHS school gets a ‘green’ light from PPL
by Debra Schell
Press And Journal Staff
: 8/19/2009
Let there be light, more efficient light that is.
Pennsylvania Power and Light Co. has partnered with Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. to help school districts conserve energy by covering the cost of installing energy efficient flourescent lights.
Crews installed the newe lighting in the gym and two classrooms of Middletown Area High School last week.
“Lighting accounts for more than half of electricity use in the nation’s schools,” said Jim Nulton, regional director of community relations for PPL. “Today’s technology offers schools an opportunity to achieve long-term savings.”
Patrick Hruz, principal for MAHS, hopes the lights will encourage teachers and students to turn off lights when not in use.
“These lights will help us save money, which is the biggest benefit for the taxpayers,” he said.
The new lights are brighter and safer than the old fixtures, which would break or fall when hit by a ball, he said.
“We will use this as a model for projects in the future,” said William Meiser, director of plant operations for the district.
The new fixtures come with a motion sensor that will automatically turn lights off after a short period.
“We have seen an 82 percent reduction in use at other locations,” said Kandice Cohen, sales engineer for Lutron Electronics, near Philadelphia.
Cohen said that they expect the same reduction at MAHS.
PPL and Lutron, anticipating the removal of rate caps next year, wanted to help school districts reduce usage. Letters were sent out to 150 school districts, of that, 50 schools throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania showed interest in the project, officials said.
PPL is paying $16,200 to replace less efficient light bulbs and fixtures with high-efficiency ones at Middletown schools.
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