California K–12 District Launches Energy Infrastructure, Sustainability Program

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/09/24

The Burlingame School District in Burlingame, Calif., recently announced the upcoming launch of its Energy Infrastructure and Sustainability Program Phase II, according to a news release. Construction on HVAC modernizations and solar structures will begin early this year and is scheduled for completion before the beginning of the 2024–25 school year. Schools within the district will gain access to renewable energy generation and electrical improvements to replace outdated gas utilities.

The district will modernize the HVAC infrastructure of every campus and offer air-conditioning to these facilities for the first time ever, the news release reports. Smart building automation systems will also maximize energy efficiency, enhance ventilation, and streamline school operations.

Phase II also entails installing parking, shade, and rooftop solar structures at six district elementary schools. The renewable energy and improvements to efficiency are intended to offset energy consumption from the new HVAC system while also pushing the district further toward net zero energy.

“By switching to modernized energy solutions, the Burlingame School District is not only reducing our energy footprint but also forming school environments which support learning and collaboration,” said Board of Trustees Previous President and Current Trustee Lisa Mudd. “These sustainability improvements harmonize the work we do in the classroom with the operation of our school facilities.”

The district implemented Phase I of the program five years ago and has saved more than 4.2 million kilowatt hours in energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 3,000 metric tons of CO2.

“Our energy infrastructure will reflect Burlingame School District’s vision and mission,” said district superintendent Dr. Marla Silversmith. “Building resilient facilities with efficient, renewable energy standards promotes environmental stewardship for our community and encourages our problem-solvers to prepare for their future.” 

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Kentucky Stormwater Harvesting System Receives Award

    The Utilities and Energy Management team from the University of Kentucky recently received a Grand Award at the 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards, according to a university news release. The award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kentucky was for the university’s Central Utility Plant (CUP) Stormwater Harvesting System, which activated in fall 2023.

  • University of Kansas Opens $400M Football Stadium Reconstruction

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently announced that the $400-million reconstruction of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is complete in time for the 2025 football season, according to a news release. The university partnered with Turner Construction Company on the project.

  • California Middle School Completes Two New Academic Buildings

    Sunnyvale Middle School in Sunnyvale, Calif., recently announced that construction is complete on two new classroom buildings of two stories each, according to a district news release. The new wing will house seventh- and eighth-grade students and is part of a larger campus modernization project.

  • KI Launches K–12 Classroom Furniture Giveaway

    Contract furniture company KI recently announced the launch of its fourth-annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway, which awards $50,000 each to four K–12 educators across the U.S., according to a news release. The goal is to address decreasing student engagement and increasing teacher burnout numbers by updating learning spaces to accommodate modern needs.

Digital Edition