California School District Completes $33 Million Energy Modernization
Opterra Energy Services has finished a $33 million project to modernize the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District (YCJUSD) in California. The school district added 3.1 MW of solar panels to 12 classrooms, along with new lighting, heating, and cooling systems.
Cathy Bogh, President of the YCJUSD Board of Education, remarked,
“This project is a big step forward for our district.”
“We are proud to spend taxpayer money on modern, efficient, and long-lasting buildings that directly help our students and staff. We have been able to make our schools better for the children and staff who are there now, and we have also been able to prepare for future development in a responsible way.”
Financial and Environmental Benefits
The initiative to modernize is projected to provide significant financial and environmental advantages, such as net savings of more than $42 million over 20 years. YCJUSD will also get a grant from the Inflation Reduction Act worth more than $5 million.
Student Education and Career Readiness Programs
The energy program includes a tailored student involvement strategy with different offers to make sure that the improvements to the project’s infrastructure also have a direct effect on the district’s educational objectives. One important thing they do is set up internships for students to help YCJUSD’s goal of getting more students ready for jobs in the energy and sustainability industries. With help from the school district’s leadership and Opterra’s own energy education team, the program also includes making elementary science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) learning kits that fit with the district’s curriculum and will be given out to all elementary schools. YCJUSD’s initiative is giving teachers hands-on tools to teach kids about sustainability, energy, and engineering by combining enhancements to energy infrastructure with customized educational materials.
“Our team is very happy to help YCJUSD reach its goal of future success by finishing our project together this spring.”
Courtney Jenkins, CEO of Opterra Energy Services, stated,
“YCJUSD’s leadership shows how school districts can take a proactive, strategic approach to modernizing facilities while also getting measurable financial and environmental benefits.” “The district has turned its campuses into more efficient and environmentally friendly places to learn without raising costs for the community by using a comprehensive energy program.”
