By PATRICIA DADDONA
Day Staff Writer, Waterford
Published on 2/11/2005

Rick Oja, one of the architects redesigning the town's three elementary schools, told the school board Thursday the environmentally sensitive “green” design for the new Oswegatchie Elementary School would use the best of LEED standards while avoiding more costly approaches. The project will be considered for funding by June.

As a LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, building, the new school would meet voluntary national standards of more exposure to daylight, better indoor air quality and energy-efficient heating, electrical and air conditioning systems, Oja said. He works for Jacunski Humes Architects of Newington.

One expensive option that won't be used, Oja said, is production of electricity by geothermal means. Geothermal methods draw naturally hot water and steam up from underground reservoirs to generate electricity. The school district expects 4 percent of each elementary school's total cost to go toward LEED improvements, and a geothermal design would exceed that amount, he said.

The town's finance officials have asked educators to quantify savings that “green” schools might yield.

Donald W. Fudge of Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc., a nonprofit regional group, said typical costs average 2 percent. He touted reductions in allergy problems, glare, noise distractions that disrupt concentration and long-term savings in operations and maintenance costs.

Financial estimates are based on computer modeling and are measured per square foot, so they are not exact, he said. 
 

© The Day Publishing Co., 2005
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