Stew-Stras Schools Receive $50,000 Energy Grant

SHELBY COUNTY — Stewardson-Strasburg Schools got a $50,000 award for installing an alternative heating and cooling system into the building campus.

The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) and Shelby Electric Cooperative presented the school the GeoAlliance Grant Wednesday morning. Attending the event were Regional Superintendent Dr. Bobbi Mattingly, school board representatives, and the design architect for the project.

The grant program is a collaboration between the AIEC in Springfield and Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation in Chicago(ICECF). It was developed in 2003 to promote the use of highly energy efficient, clean and safe geothermal technology in commercial application in cooperative territories. ICECF provides the funding for the grants and the AIEC administers the grant program. The funding is re-granted to Illinois electric cooperatives that in turn award the grants to their not-for-profit members.

“We congratulate Stewardson-Strasburg (school) for their decision to use geothermal,” said Darrell Shumard of Shelby Electric Cooperative, who provides electricity to the school.

Stewardson-Strasburg School installed a geothermal system as part of its construction project last summer.  A geothermal system uses the consistent temperature beneath the earth’s surface, about 50 degrees, to heat and cool buildings.  The system can also be used to heat hot water for the facility.

Geothermal system can save the school nearly $47,000 per year in energy costs, which will benefit students, teachers, and the school administration as well as taxpayers. It also provides a more comfortable learning environment for the students.

“It’s already been more cost effective. The payback is really quick,” said Stew-Stras superintendent Steve Harsy.

Nancy Nixon, marketing administrator for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, presented the check to the school.

“The grant is calculated as one-third of the difference between a geothermal system and a standard fossil fuel system up to $50,000. We are happy to award the $50,000 to Stewardson-Strasburg Schools,” Nixon said.

Randy Porter, vice president of the Stew-Stras School Board, said he was pleased with the board’s decision to install the geothermal system.

“It has allowed us to create a comfortable environment for our students. It is one part of our school’s ongoing construction project,” Porter said.

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Stew-Stras Schools Receive $50,000 Energy Grant