GP Energy savings earn Avista credits

Energy-efficiency lighting improvements to Palouse Elementary School and Garfield-Palouse High School have qualified for almost $38,000 in incentives from Avista Corp. The energy savings from the lighting project are expected to save the Palouse School District more than $10,000 per year in energy costs.

Installing new energy-efficient lighting in all classrooms, offices, the two gyms and other lighted space will save the school district 168,000 kilowatt-hours per year.

Supt. Bev Fox said the lighting upgrade was a project that had needed to be done for many years.

“We had been shutting off half of the hall lights in the building to save energy. Now we have all the lights on, making the school brighter and eliminating shadows on the gym floor,” said Fox.

“The added bonus is we can immediately see an energy-saving impact. In a time when most of our expenditures continue to increase, this is a project that will be a long-term financial benefit to Palouse School District.”