GCCS working to be green; $1.6 M saved over three years

By TARA HETTINGER
Tara.Hettinger@newsandtribune.com

April 30, 2008 10:29 am

— Known as Dr. Dark or Mr. Freeze, Gus Luckert, energy manager for Greater Clark County Schools, serves as the energy police.
He patrols the areas, making sure no violations are being made, such as leaving on lights or setting the thermostat higher than 68 degrees in the winter or 74 in the summer.
“I’m the guy that has to take the grief from people that complain about the heat in their room or air conditioning not being at the level they want,” Luckert said. “But it’s my job. And, as with anything, they’re getting used to it.”
Three years ago, the corporation hired a company to come in and find ways to not only make GCCS green, but also to save some green. Luckert said that has paid off.
In the past three years, GCCS has saved more than $1.6 million by cutting back electricity, natural gas, propane, sewer and water use. Luckert said the corporation’s energy reduction impact is equivalent to taking 3,419 cars off the road or planting trees on 7,089 acres.
He said those savings should increase, as the building projects make schools more energy-efficient.
Luckert even takes his job home.
“Oh, I do it at home too,” Luckert said. “I go lower than that (68 degrees) for heating and the air conditioner has to be hot before I even turn it on.”
Luckert said he’s happy the state is reaching out to teach the students about the environment, as was the case Tuesday with Enviro-Jeopardy at Parkwood Elementary School.
“Everything is going green, so we might as well instruct our students how to do it too,” he said.