(SACRAMENTO, CA) -- The Sacramento Municipal Utility
District (Calif.) is training the next generation of the energy industry’s
workforce. SMUD’s new High School Energy Efficiency and Auditing Training
(HSEE) project provides junior and senior high school students with the skills
and experience to begin energy efficiency-related and energy auditing careers.
The program also provides opportunities for participating students to help
their own school districts save money through energy efficiency.
Here’s how it works: Students have been selected from
several school districts across the region and brought together in one class to
learn about the green energy industry, energy efficiency, electrical load
auditing, and to develop workforce skills. The weeklong course includes theoretical
classroom lessons and practical field work. Students will use their new skills
to audit a building in their own school district, then prepare a report and
present their findings to their peers, administrators and other local
officials. Students earn a stipend for participating.
It’s a win-win for the students and their schools. SMUD
provides funding to develop and carry out the curriculum and to support the
school districts in completing student recommended energy efficiency measures.
By combining HSEE with established SMUD rebate programs, it may be possible for
a school district to receive a total of 80 percent to 100 percent rebates on
upgrade costs, depending on the energy efficiency measures selected by the
schools.
This project was funded by carbon sales under the AB32 cap
and trade bill. Participating school districts are Center Unified, Natomas
Unified, Elk Grove Unified, Sacramento City Unified, Twin Rivers Unified,
Folsom Cordova Unified and San Juan Unified.
