Schools/Local Government Energy Program

The Schools and Local Government Program provides a number of integrated services to assist public school districts, colleges, universities and non-profit hospitals in setting up and maintaining effective energy efficiency programs.

The program provides assistance through energy efficient school partnerships and energy management training workshops. Technical support is provided through facility-related services which address energy accounting, energy efficient facility operation and maintenance, indoor air quality, water conservation, comprehensive energy planning, and on-site training in setting up student-involved energy awareness projects and energy education.

Viability of Commissioning in New School Construction - Final Report
The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) and the U.S. Department of Energy has funded this study of the costs and benefits of commissioning of new school facilities. This study involves close investigation of two schools: one school recently constructed and commissioned, and a similar school that was also recently built without benefit of commissioning.

Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings
Published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), this guide is for elementary, middle, and high school buildings, which have a wide variety of heating and air-conditioning requirements. Options for daylighting, an important component in schools, are included. I-P units.

Cool Roof Technology Report
The Cool Roof Technology Report was prepared and funded by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). SECO is interested in providing practical and affordable ways of increasing the energy efficiency of portable classroom buildings in wide use by public school districts in the State of Texas. These buildings provide a fast, cost effective ways for districts to rapidly expand their capacity; however, due to their nature of construction, they are particularly susceptible to characteristics that waste energy, thus depriving schools of badly needed operations and maintenance dollars. The main objective of SECO is to provide access to technologies that reduce the energy consumption of these structures. This evaluation report was performed by the Brooks Energy and Sustainability Laboratory of the Texas A&M University.

Preliminary Energy Assessment Service

Investing in our communities through improved energy efficiency in public buildings is a win-win opportunity for our communities and the state. Energy-efficient buildings reduce energy costs, increase available capital, spur economic growth, and improve working and living environments. The Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA) Service provides a viable strategy to achieve these goals.

The Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA) details recommendations for cost effective resource efficiency measures that could be implemented to reduce utility consumption and/or utility costs. SECO provides this service at no cost to the participating public entity.

PEA Service Agreement for ISDs
This Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA) is for public schools, colleges and non-profit hospitals. The PEA service agreement was formerly known as a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

PEA Service Agreement for Local Governments and Municipalities
This Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA) is for all local government and municipalities. The PEA service agreement was formerly known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Certified Energy Manager (CEM®) Program for Professional Certification
This is an Association of Energy Engineers web site. Since it's inception in 1981, the Certified Energy Manager (CEM®) credential has become widely accepted and used as a measure of professional accomplishment within the energy management field. It has gained industry-wide use as the standard for qualifying energy professionals both in the United States and abroad. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Office of Federal Energy Management Programs (FEMP), and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as by numerous state energy offices, major utilities, corporations and energy service companies