By By MaryClaire Foster
Students at Escambia County High School will have a brighter, more energy efficient future thanks to a grant funding a new lighting system at the school.
The $15,000 grant was awarded through Gov. Bob Riley’s office from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy and is going towards replacing part of the lighting system at ECHS with a more energy efficient one.
ECHS Maintenance Supervisor Gerald Jones said the grant provided enough funding to replace 311 lights in what they call the ninth grade academy building, which includes the library.
The bulbs are being changed from a four bulb T-12 40 watt to a four bulb T-8 32 watt.
Jones expects the lights to be installed by the first or second week in January and said if more funding became available they would try and obtain it.
In a press release, Gov. Riley stated, “Making energy efficiency improvements to public school buildings is a good investment, both economically and environmentally. I commend these school boards for taking steps to save energy and taxpayer money.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administered the grant.
ECHS was one of eight public schools in the state to receive grants updating equipment to save money and energy on utility bills.