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BCPS energy team cites $7.3M in utility cost avoidance and expansion of compost and solar programs
Summary
BCPS staff reported energy-efficiency projects, two existing solar installations, a planned net-zero elementary school solar installation, and expansion of a student food-waste composting pilot into 18 schools. Presenters highlighted partnerships with county agencies and curriculum alignment.
Baltimore County Public Schools on Sept. 24 gave a progress report on energy and sustainability initiatives, including utility cost reductions through efficiency contracts, on-site solar generation and an expanding school composting program.
Frank Shannon, manager of energy and sustainability, said the district realized a measured utility cost avoidance of $7.3 million last year as a result of energy-performance contracts, building upgrades and controls work, and that the district has achieved a term-to-date avoidance of about 280,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent — a cumulative emissions savings the team described in lay terms to illustrate scale. Shannon noted two existing registered solar installations (Rossville and Berkshire elementaries) and said a new solar array at Deer Park Elementary will be the district’s first net‑zero school.
Dr. Kelly Holacher described sustainability programs: a food-waste compost pilot that began in 2019 with three schools and now includes 18 schools with 13 on a waiting list; cafeteria-share tables; compostable serving trays districtwide; and single-stream recycling that has diverted more than 21 million pounds of recyclables since the program began. Holacher said the office is improving outreach materials in multiple languages and partnering with Curriculum and Instruction to bring sustainability practices into classroom learning.
The presenters also cited community and interdepartmental partnerships — county public works, environmental protection, Food and Nutrition Services, facilities construction and Curriculum & Instruction — and said they plan expanded teacher professional development and an annual Green Schools guide and summit.
Board members asked about indoor‑air‑quality testing; presenters said environmental services within facilities support services conducts annual and case-by-case testing and that staff would provide schedule details on request.
