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TOOELE, Utah (AP) -- The Tooele School District is saving hundreds of thousands of dollars every year by taking simple steps to reduce energy costs.
The Tooele Transcript-Bulletin says the district has saved more than $700,000 since beginning an energy conservation program run by Texas-based Energy Education in 2008.
District energy manager Al Bottema says the program emphasizes things such as turning off lights and computers when school is out, installing energy efficient lighting and upgrading heating and cooling systems.
Bottema says thermostats are kept at 74 degrees for cooling and 71 degrees for heating, which prompted a few complaints early on has garnered strong support among teachers.
Tooele Education Association president Bob Gowans says saving the money has reduced the cuts made by the district during tight budget years.
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(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
