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Going Green

Opportunities to make ecological choices and save money in school construction and design

May 25, 2023

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Going Green and Saving Money

Schools that are energy-efficient and integrate climate impacts into the classroom, improve learning, boost student health, and save taxpayer money.

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  • Schools spent a combined $215M on utilities between FY 2015 and FY 2020.
  • By reducing school facility emissions, LEAs can reallocate savings to support teaching and learning – an amount equivalent to 500 additional teachers per year.
  • Rhode Island’s commitment to green school design has already realized significant utilities cost savings in communities across the state.

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Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools Protocol

Since 2007, Rhode Island has required compliance with Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools Protocol (NE-CHPS) to ensure all school construction projects are built green.

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Confidential Working Document Draft §RIGL 38-2-2(4)(E),(K)

  • NE-CHPS promotes operational energy savings and sustainable design features in school construction and major renovations
  • Paves the way for the development of zero net energy schools
  • As a result, Rhode Island public schools built or renovated over the last 15 years:
    • Use at least 30% less energy and 20% less water than buildings designed to code
    • Have diverted at least 50% of construction waste from landfills.

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Green Ribbon Schools

Rhode Island is in the top spot for Green Ribbon schools in the Northeast (and we hold the second spot nationwide).

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  • The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School award honors stand-out LEAs in their efforts to:
    • Reduce environmental impact and costs;
    • Improve the health and wellness of students and staff;
    • Provide effective sustainability education.

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Project Examples

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Barrington Middle School

This brand-new middle school utilizes a highly efficient HVAC system, providing humidity-controlled conditioned air for comfort.

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  • Barrington, RI
  • 2019
  • 900 Students
  • Grades 6-8
  • 141,651 SF
  • $68.4M
  • KBA Architects

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Clairborne Pell Elementary School

The Pell Elementary School realizes significantly reduced energy consumption through daylight-maximizing design features and use of low-wattage light fixtures.

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  • Newport, RI
  • 2022
  • 865 Students
  • Grades PK-4
  • 105,565 SF
  • HMFH Architects

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Lincoln Physical Education Center

The Lincoln PEC is on track to be net-zero!

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  • Lincoln, RI
  • 2023
  • Will serve over 1,000 students
  • 20,300 SF
  • $8.3M
  • RGB Architects

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Chariho Alternative Learning Academy

CALA’s enhanced natural light, rooftop photovoltaic system and individually controlled heating and cooling zones helped to make this facility extremely efficient.

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  • Wood River Junction, RI
  • 2018
  • 60 Students
  • Grades 5-12
  • 13,431 SF
  • $4.89M
  • RGB Architects

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Jamestown

The LEA is planning to construct a solar array over the middle school and parking which will generate enough savings to offset all most all their energy costs.

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  • Jamestown, RI
  • 2023
  • 97% energy costs will be covered by these panels
  • $1M