Student AEM interns say district energy program cut usage, kept schools on track for state compliance

Student interns with the Advanced Energy Movement told the Wenatchee School District Board of Directors on Aug. 26 that their summer work has reduced energy use across district buildings, helped the district meet several Clean Buildings Performance Standard requirements and produced ongoing cost savings.

The students told the board they helped Wenatchee High School and other district facilities implement an energy management plan, track and benchmark usage in Energy Star Portfolio Manager, develop operations and maintenance checklists and lower baseline load through targeted shutdowns and occupant engagement. "It lets operators of building see their energy use and... eliminate energy waste," presenter Sloan said, describing the program's monitoring tools.

The presentation matters because the district is working to meet a state energy use intensity (EUI) target and because the students said energy savings free district funds for classrooms and other priorities. The interns also said missing state targets could result in fines: "If we don't hit our energy goals, it could cost up to over $400,000," said Naveen Nayak during the presentation.

Students who lead the AEM (Advanced Energy Movement) work described specific results. Presenters said Wenatchee High School's rolling EUI has dropped from roughly 100 prior to March to 86 by July, a 14% reduction since the program launched there; presenters said the team has averaged a drop of about 3.5 EUI units per month and that maintaining that pace would reach the district's target by May 2026. Students also reported a 69% reduction in a reported month at the high school that translated, they said, to more than $10,000 in monthly electricity-cost savings at that site. For one weekend example, presenters said they recorded a 41% reduction in usage at a building during the Fourth of July shutdown.

The interns walked the board through operational work that produced those results: they said they catalogued more than 1,297 pieces of equipment across the district and more than 500 items at Wenatchee High School alone; created preventative-maintenance checklists based on manufacturers' recommendations; and transferred asset and PM data into a new maintenance platform called Operations Hero. They also reported a portable-classroom effort that shut down 29 of 32 portables, a roughly 90% shutdown rate, and cited Energy Star benchmarking showing several district schools on track for or pursuing Energy Star certification.

Students noted partnerships and community benefits. They credited support from district facilities staff and outside partners, and they said the Chelan County Public Utility District's lighting projects and other partners helped expand savings. The presentation highlighted work with North Central ESD and NCW libraries, with students reporting 17% energy reductions in one non-district building after AEM launched there.

Board members responded with praise. Mark (board director) told the students, "You guys presented a lot of information and a lot of data in a very easy to follow and understand way," and said the district and community partners were benefitting from the students' work.

Students told the board the program focuses on conservation and monitoring — turning equipment and systems off or scheduling them appropriately — and does not perform capital retrofits or directly fund efficiency retrofits. The interns said that limitation means they can help the district reduce waste and track performance but not install replacement equipment without outside funding.

Presenters described next steps including an occupant-engagement campaign planned for early September, continued inventory and preventative-maintenance work, and ongoing benchmarking in Energy Star Portfolio Manager. They also said they plan to continue reporting weekly performance metrics to client partners and to expand community outreach that has generated interest from other organizations.

The board's superintendent, Corey, thanked the students and noted district recognition and partnership with the program. The board did not take formal action on the presentation; trustees thanked the students and indicated interest in monthly updates.

The Advanced Energy Movement presentation combined workforce development for high school and college students with measurable operational work on district buildings, and presenters said the program aims to keep the district on track for compliance while producing near-term savings.