A partnership between SJI and New Jersey schools creates energy efficiency ambassadors
When it comes to promoting energy efficiency, South Jersey Industries subsidiaries Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas didn’t necessarily write the book, but they do help teach the class.
Through a partnership with EmPowered Schools—a subcoalition of the Alliance to Save Energy—Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas are helping deliver energy-savings education to 60 schools across the utilities’ service territories.
The hands-on program teaches local students about energy efficiency and encourages them to take a leadership role in making their schools and homes more energy efficient. Using kits composed of tools like water drip gauges, water flow rate bags, light meters and infrared thermometers, students can audit their school’s lighting, HVAC and appliances to make recommendations for better efficiency.
“The students end up becoming ambassadors of energy efficiency not only within their schools, but within their communities,” Maureen Minkel, SJI’s director of energy efficiency and conservation, told American Gas.
This is the second school year for the Elizabethtown Gas partnership and the fourth for South Jersey Gas. Both have experienced positive feedback.
“Throughout the history of our company, SJI has been committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve. Through the EmPowered Schools partnership, we are able to make a difference by educating students at an early age about tangible ways that they can improve energy efficiency in their schools and communities, as well as in their own homes,” Minkel said.
The EmPowered Schools partnership is part of SJI’s ongoing commitment to provide local students with meaningful experiences that help inspire them to reimagine what a possible career might look like.
“SJI and our utility subsidiaries, Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas, really strive to make positive impacts in our region, so this partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy gives us an opportunity to help educate students on energy efficiency and make them more informed consumers in the future,” Minkel said. “And for participating schools, it’s an opportunity to save money and reinvest the savings back into students.”