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Puget Sound Energy highlights district energy savings; Olympia schools receive incentives and technical support
Summary
Puget Sound Energy representatives reported that Olympia School District’s participation in the Commercial Strategic Energy Management (CSEM) program has yielded more than 450,000 kWh in electric savings, 35,000 therms in gas savings, roughly $125,000 in combined incentives and avoided energy costs over two years, and support for Clean Buildings-
Puget Sound Energy representatives updated the Olympia School District Board of Directors Thursday on the district’s participation in the Commercial Strategic Energy Management (CSEM) program, reporting more than 450,000 kilowatt‑hours of electricity saved and more than 35,000 therms of gas saved across two program years.
Diego Roxas, a Puget Sound Energy account representative, told the board the district has received more than $51,000 in incentive payments from PSE for the work, and has avoided roughly $74,000 in energy costs, for a combined value of about $125,000 over two years. Roxas said he converted the district’s energy savings to familiar metrics using the EPA calculator, equating the avoided CO2 to the annual energy use of 66 homes and noting the carbon reduction would require roughly 500 acres of U.S. forest to sequester.
Frank Wilson, executive director of operations for the Olympia School District, introduced the presentation and has met monthly with the PSE team. Roxas described technical interventions and partnerships that produced the savings: six joint site visits by PSE and district staff, LED lighting upgrades at seven schools, kitchen equipment and water‑heater upgrades at four schools paid in part with PSE rebates, and controls and commissioning work on building systems. He also highlighted district participation in PSE programs including demand response events and an EV‑bus charger project at the bus depot that could enable vehicle‑to‑grid services.
Roxas said the district participated in the Clean Buildings Accelerator program to prepare for Washington State’s Clean Buildings law, and the district secured climate‑fellow placements (Climate Corps Fellows) to support program administration: Jenna Davidson and Grace Yockey were named as past fellows. Leslie, manager for the Building Energy Management (BEM) group at PSE, and Chantal (account manager) accompanied Roxas to the board meeting.
District staff credited maintenance and operations teams for implementing behavioral and controls changes and executing projects. The board accepted a ceremonial check photo opportunity with PSE representatives for the second‑year incentive payment; no budget transfer or formal board action was taken during the presentation.
Board members asked about next steps for EV‑bus charging and cross‑department coordination for further energy reductions. PSE emphasized ongoing monthly meetings and technical support as the district continues to pursue low‑ and no‑cost operational savings and capital upgrades when feasible.
