MACOG announced the four recipients of the annual Partners for Clean Air Awards at a virtual event. “This year’s award winners have implemented significant clean energy and clean transportation projects that will have an impact for years to come,” said MACOG Executive Director James Turnwald. “They serve as exemplary examples for how organizations can take voluntary steps to transform how our region powers our economy and how we move.” Partners for Clean Air is a coalition of businesses, industries, local governments and community groups committed to improving overall air quality and public health through voluntary actions.
John Glenn School Corporation is being recognized for being a leader in energy conservation and clean energy, after recently completing a $7M energy savings project which brought LED lighting with updated controls, new windows, a new HVAC system, and a field of 846 solar panels to North Liberty Elementary School. The 338.4 kWdc solar project is equivalent to the electricity used by almost 40 households each year.
Superintendent Chris Winchell emphasized that the project will benefit the corporation’s operating budget to put more money back into the classroom, “By controlling energy costs over the long term, we’re in a better position to focus on a strong education program.” A live display will also educate students about the production of clean energy.
John Glenn is one of a growing list of public school corporations in the region that have collectively installed at least 18 large solar projects in the last several years: Argos Community Schools, Baugo Community Schools (under construction), Goshen Community Schools, Tippecanoe Valley Schools, Wawasee Community School Corporation, and Warsaw Community Schools.
Other winners were The City of Goshen for leadership in clean transportation and environmental resilience, The University of Notre Dame for significant investments in clean energy towards the goal of cutting its carbon footprint in half by 2030 and Recycling Works for innovating and forming new partnerships locally to overcome challenges in the broader recycling market, such as low commodity prices, contamination in single stream recycling, and China’s ban on importing plastics.
