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Energy efficient improvements at De La Salle School get green light from state Department of Natural Resources

BATON ROUGE - The state Dept. of Natural Resources’ Energy Office has recently approved funding through its energy efficiency loan program for repairs and upgrades for De La Salle High School in New Orleans. The school’s administration applied for funding citing its desire to make building improvements and to take advantage of energy cost savings measures at its campus.

According to the proposed project plans, there will be energy efficient upgrades to several components of the school. New lighting systems will include energy efficient interior fixtures, occupancy controls and LED exterior fixtures. The loan amount of $800,000 is authorized with the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority. “With energy efficient upgrades comes conservation and that’s a great lesson to share with the students as well,” DNR Secretary Stephen Chustz noted.

DNR’s loan program is supported by the federal Department of Energy (DOE) and the awarding of selected projects is proceeded by a solicitation, evaluation, and approval process with guidelines set forth by both federal and state laws.

“We are indeed eager to begin seeing this become a reality and what’s best of all is knowing that thousands of dollars will be saved each year in utility costs,” said De La Salle School President Michael Guillot.

The project will also include the replacement of two existing 80-ton air cooled chillers that serve the main building with new and energy efficient chillers that have a variable flow.

Thermostat controls and the latest in energy efficient technology collectively will help to implement what is expected to be about $80,000 per year in energy savings to the school.

The department’s education and outreach efforts through this program required applicants from local governments, service communities, industry, non-profit agencies and commercial groups to provide written project proposals for eligibility for a loan interest rate of two percent not to exceed a term of ten years. The loan program is part of the office’s overall mission to promote and encourage the use of energy efficient, environmentally responsible and economically feasible technologies that reduce our nation's dependence on foreign energy supplies, conserve our natural resources and protect the environment.