Bishop Kelly: A role model in energy efficiency

By Torri Kerkman

If you ever find yourself walking by yourself in an empty and dark Bishop Kelly, and the lights flicker on in a once dark hallway as you step into it, don't be afraid. The school isn't haunted. Occupational sensors for the hallway lights are just one of the ways that Bishop Kelly is conserving energy, and saving on electricity this year.

The whole lighting project was put on through Bishop Kelly's Building committee, and funded by the summer budget along with left over money given to the departments for the 2008-2009 academic year. Mark Jascowski, Development Director here at BK said, "It really is a tribute to the heads of departments that we have the extra money to do this"

What "this" is, is a chance for BK to go green with its electricity. All the lights in the building have been replaced with energy efficient fixtures. The new lights are not only energy efficient, but they also give off a brighter, better quality of lighting. In fact, in the Carley Center, the highest concentration of light went from 36 lumens to 56. The old gym is also now equipped with a more accessible light switch so that the lights don't burn all day and night.

Along with the 350,000 kilowatts per year that Bishop Kelly is saving, we are saving a lot of money as well. Idaho power gave Bishop Kelly, on Monday the 21st, a $46,000 rebate check for all the energy and electricity we will be saving. That means that from the project that cost $65,000, Bishop Kelly will only pay $19,000.

This also means saving a lot of money on electricity bills. Bishop Kelly, last year paid $83,000 in electric bills. This year it is estimated we will save around $13,000, which provides more money for tuitions and scholarships for underprivileged and financial struggling students.

With that Bishop Kelly proves to be a role model for schools everywhere. Not just in academics and sports, but a role model for global awareness and the conservation of our resources.