Consumers are constantly being presented with choices that have economic, environmental, and lifestyle/social dimensions. For example, is an energy-efficient hybrid car (with regenerative braking) a better choice than a regular petroleum-only vehicle when considered from all three dimensions? Surprisingly, although each and all of these dimensions…

If it was not the worst budget cycle in decades, it was one of the worst for school district administrators trying to juggle union-negotiated salary increases, higher fuel and food prices, and federal mandates with less money, district leaders and education experts say. While most districts have increased budgets for the 2008-2009 school year over…

A REVIEW OF THE CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERING THE USE OF A TOTAL ENERGY SYSTEM WITHIN A SCHOOL BUILDING STATES THE WINDOWLESS, COMPACT SCHOOL OFFERS MORE EFFICIENT SPACE UTILIZATION WITH LESS AREA REQUIRED FOR GIVEN STUDENT POPULATION AND LOWER OPERATION COSTS. THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS THAT THESE BUILDINGS BE WINDOWLESS TO REDUCE HEAT COSTS, HOWEVER, AT…

State leaders and school officials must understand that the intermediate and long-term implications of the energy crisis for education are much different from the current or short-term problems. Acting on that basis, they may be able to turn some of the potential difficulties into real benefits. (Author)

Discusses the planning and potential of large-scale coal gasification plants to produce methanol, in the 1980s, at costs competitive with those of conventional fuels. (Author/GA)

Representatives of two school districts argue the advantages they find in the use of diesel-engine buses over gas-engine buses. The advantages include reduced maintenance and better mileage. (IRT)

Explains the function of a central heating system and calculates the total heat energy required to heat a house. Estimates annual heat requirement and amount of fuel needed. Gives detailed calculation of heat required for a particular house as an example. (G A)

Stategies for organizing data on a district's energy use are presented in this guide, originally intended for use in California schools. Also presented are methods of communicating this information to those involved in planning, in recordkeeping, and in motivating staff and students to save energy. The energy accounting system offered in the first…

Sometimes districts can improve their maintenance and security and find more efficient and less costly approaches to both areas when they tap their own personnel resources. Illustrations show how effectively problems have been dealt with by people of talent and ability "within the system." (Author/MLF)

A case study of how a small community college has saved energy and energy costs. (DC)

The author explains how, by investing $250,000 in a five-year program of insulation and heating system improvement, Loomis Chaffee School has reduced its yearly fuel consumption from 16,000 to 9,000 barrels of oil. (SJL)

This manual is a guide for performing energy audits in school buildings using low- and no-cost measures found effective in Minnesota. The manual helps school maintenance and administrative personnel conduct walk-through inspections of school buildings, focusing on the energy efficiency of their equipment and operations. The measures recommended…

The first in a series of reports consolidates data about energy sources and extrapolates that information to the problems and expenses that New York has and will experience in heating public schools. A presentation of national energy consumption is followed by an examination of the availability of potential alternatives to petroleum and natural…