Sustainability

Over the last few years, our District has made it a priority to replace fixtures and bulbs as they burn out with LED lighting which saves both on both energy and costs.  A complete overhaul of the lighting has already taken place in the High School Pool area and there is an increased priority on completing the South Gym lighting, in the near future.

• The LED fixtures and bulbs have a much higher output, less maintenance cost, and longer life.
• Since the start of this LED lighting project, we have seen an approximate $7,700 per year savings.

Anticipated Spring/Summer 2023

Districtwide:  Replace all outdoor (50) 400W bulbs with (50) 100W LED All LED bulbs have already been purchased.

High School:  Replace all light fixtures in main gym with LED fixtures

Jefferson Middle School:   Replace (30) 150W fixtures with (30) 40W LEDs in gymnasium

Hoover:  Replace Gym (6) 150W fixtures with (6) 40W LEDs

The District has obtained three quotes to install (2) level 2, dual port EV charging stations at the high school.  The lowest estimate projected a cost of $17,718, 50% of which may be eligible for a rebate under the Duquesne Light Fleet Charging Program.  After the design, other factors to be considered include users, type of vehicle, maintenance, etc. 

The District has obtained a quote to install solar panels on the Athletic Building.  These panels would cover most of the roof on the building to offset 9% of the total annual electrical consumption and 138 tons of CO2 at the high school.  

The cost of the panels is $800,000 with a $208,000 Federal Investment Tax Credit, for a net cost of $592,000.

The panels have an estimated energy savings of approximately $62,172 per year and the "break-even point" would be in 9.52 years.  

The District has investigated purchasing electric-powered utility vans.  A local dealer loaned the District one for a day to use.  The van was similar to what we would need to meet the needs of a District fleet vehicle.

Although these vans have a higher estimated capital cost ($60,000/each), the maintenance and fuel costs are significantly lower.

Additionally, the federal government is currently offering a $7,500 Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle tax credit.  

The District is working with the Duquesne Light Fleet Vehicle Program who is preparing a report to develop an analysis of our vehicles and the amount of savings associated with fuel, maintenance, and CO2 reduction.  

The vehicles may also be eligible for a lease option.

Foster: LED Lighting - Replaced (2) 400W with (2) 100W LED

Lincoln: LED Lighting -  Replaced (1) 175W outdoor light with (1) 17W LED

Washington: LED Lighting -  Replaced (4) 160W fixtures with (4) 40W LED

High School: Athletic building hall lights were changed to an occupancy sensor.  In the pool area, we replaced (42) 400W bulbs with (42) 100W LEDs, and the pool lights were placed on an auto timer. 

High School:  Parking lot - replaced (2) 400W bulbs with (2) 100W LEDs

Jefferson: Replaced (1) 400W light with (1) 100W light, bollards (4) 175W with (4) 17W, and 250W wallpack with 18W LED.

Foster:  Replaced (1) 400W with (1) 100W LED

Lincoln:  Replaced (2) -2 bulb 84W with (2) 40W LED

Mellon:  Replaced (8) 160W fixtures with 40W LEDs

Lincoln:  Replaced (4) 42W cfl's with (4) 14W LEDs

Markham:  Replaced (8) 400W outdoor lights with (8) 100W LEDs

Hoover:  Replaced (4) 175W bulbs with (4) 13W LED bulbs

Howe:  Replaced (2) 400W floods with (2) 100W LEDs

Lincoln: Replaced (2) 250W fixtures  with (2) 40W LEDs and (3) 400W bulbs with (3) 100W LEDs

Markham:  Replaced (2) 175W outdoor lights with (2) 17W LEDs

• 68,757ft2 of stadium turf was recycled in 2020

The High School campus has 72,716ft2 of permeable pavers allowing stormwater to permeate the soil, recharge the aquifers and not overload or pollute the municipal stormwater system.

As of October 6, 2022 the high school's solar sunflower has saved the District 7,749 kWh of electricity.

Approximately 84% of all classrooms and offices throughout the District have occupancy sensors.  These sensors save energy by automatically turning off the lights when a room is not occupied. 

This District is closed on eight Fridays in the summer which allows for summer energy savings which totals about $8,000. 

Since 2017, the District has installed 31 bottle filler water fountain stations.  As of October 5, 2022, this has saved approximately 550,000 plastic bottles from being disposed of in a landfill. 

• All windows in our school buildings have double-paned insulated glass which saves energy during both hot, and cold, seasons.
• Since June 2020, the District has saved $11,902.77 from energy curtailments and rebates.
• All exterior walls in our school buildings have been insulated.
• Since 2016, the District has planted 207 trees on the grounds.
• All cleaning supplies used in our buildings are peroxide based.
• The District has approximately 580 recycling cans, which yields approximately 6.11 tons of recyclable products per month.
• Our buildings have 211,080 ft2 or 45.5% of white reflective roofing.  These types of roofs are about 7% cooler than EPDM roof during the summer months. 
• Jefferson and the cooling tower on the High School each have water meters installed on the sprinkler systems.  These save the District $9,800/year on sewage costs.
• Other sustainable equipment installed throughout the District includes: 
  • Variable frequency drive units on our boiler motors
  • Modulation burners on our boilers
  • Automatic flush valves on toilets and urinals
  • Automatic faucet shut offs in lavatories
• Our High School is a Green Ribbon School

Our high school has two bike racks currently which accommodate 27 bicycles.  

The Food Services Department serves approximately 2,500 meals each school day using reusable trays and plates.

Drinks are served in recyclable cartons from the supply vendors.

As of November 1, 2022, all of the remaining styrofoam trays for elementary will have been phased out for a compostable paper option.  

Mt. Lebanon High School was honored by the U.S. Department of Education as 1 of 46 schools from across the United States to receive the distinction as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness for students and staff, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education.

RECs: Making Green Energy Possible