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Candidates back evaluating solar and geothermal to cut CCSD electricity costs, but urge study before commitments
Summary
Finalists supported exploring solar and geothermal on school roofs to reduce CCSD's roughly $120 million annual utility bill, but each recommended a transparent feasibility study and ROI analysis before large deployments.
Candidates responded to repeated audience questions about the district’s roughly $120 million annual utility bill and potential energy savings from rooftop solar and other measures.
Ben Scholdiner described Lansing’s large solar rollout and a utility arrangement that allowed the district to sell energy back to the grid; he pointed to tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other credits. Jesse Walsh said CCSD should maintain its facility-condition index, keep up maintenance, and conduct a transparent ROI study; he also suggested community partnerships to offset initial setup costs. Joan Ebert endorsed both solar and geothermal, but urged careful upfront study of costs and lifecycle savings before districtwide implementation.
Why it matters: Utilities are a major operating expense. Efficient investments in renewable and efficiency measures could free operating dollars for classrooms; however, costs, incentives and ownership models vary and require district-level analysis.
Details discussed
- Candidate experience and incentives: Scholdiner referenced Lansing’s experience selling excess energy back to the grid and mentioned the IRA’s tax incentives (30% base plus up to 10% additional credits depending on designation).
- Study-first approach: Walsh and Ebert emphasized studying return on investment and lifecycle costs, and transparently explaining the findings to the community.
- Alternative technologies: Candidates named geothermal and efficiency/maintenance work as complementary approaches that can reduce long-term utility costs.
Ending: All finalists endorsed pursuing sustainability but recommended rigorous studies and public reporting before committing tens of millions in capital to districtwide installations.
