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Texas Elementary School Launches 'Save Watt' Program, Community Clean Air Initiative; Pearland Mayor Proclaims January 21st Clean Air Day
Texas Elementary School Launches 'Save Watt' Program, Community Clean Air Initiative; Pearland Mayor Proclaims January 21st Clean Air Day
Marek Elementary School Students Focus on Wind Power, Energy Conservation, Education and Fundraising to Raise Awareness for Clean Air
Houston, TX — January 21, 2005 — Marek Elementary School, located in the Shadow Creek Ranch master-planned community in Pearland, Texas, announced today at a school rally the launch of the 'save Watt' program, a community-wide, school-driven initiative designed to educate both students and adults about the importance of clean air now and for future generations.
"We're excited to be the inaugural school for this clean air program," said Jennifer Valdez, principal at Marek Elementary School. "Our students are committed to doing their part to help clean the air, conserving energy and making education a foundation of their community. We want to encourage other schools and communities to join us in this effort."
According to a 2004 report by the American Lung Association, Houston ranks in the top five metropolitan areas in the U.S. with the worst ozone air pollution. Additionally, Harris County ranks in the top ten counties in the U.S. with the worst ozone air pollution.
"Clearly there is a challenge with air quality in and around the entire Houston region," said Tom Reid, mayor of Pearland. "It's refreshing to see one of the local schools taking the lead in getting the word out about this problem, but more importantly, offering solutions that are a step in the right direction to solving the problem. This is truly a community-wide, grassroots effort that is being driven by the students to do their part to address a serious problem we face every day."
The Save Watt Program
Save Watt is a comprehensive education and community action program designed for students and their parents to learn more about choices that can be made to help reduce air pollution and encourage energy conservation — essentially, save watts. Additionally, the program allows schools to raise money for important projects.
The program has three basic components: a curriculum designed for students and adults to learn more about clean air solutions to educate the community; an activity component where students identify energy waste and savings opportunities in their home; and a fundraising component that provides community residents with the opportunity to help raise money for the school and for the community by signing-up for pollution-free electricity generated by the wind from Green Mountain Energy Company. The money raised may be used for school and community projects, books, and a nature center, to name a few. Green Mountain Energy Company and The Freedom Seal of Approval created the program in collaboration with the school and volunteer parents.
By signing up for Green Mountain Energy® electricity, a Pearland resident with average monthly electricity usage of 1,000 kilowatt-hours can help avoid nearly 18,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (C02) per year, equivalent to about 20,000 miles not driven in a year. This would be like taking almost 2 cars off the road for an entire year to avoid the same amount of C02.
"We feel this partnership presents a very unique opportunity for us and for the residents of Shadow Creek Ranch," said Paul Thomas, president and CEO of Green Mountain Energy Company. "This community becomes a model for what can be done in Houston and across America."
Shadow Creek Ranch is a model community for energy conservation and cost savings. All the homes in the master planned community consume thirty percent less energy than traditionally built homes. The fastest growing community of its kind in the nation, Shadow Creek Ranch is adding nearly 1,200 new homes a year.
"These children are taking the challenge of helping reduce air pollution and conserving energy into their own hands," said David Goswick, Managing Director of The Freedom Seal of Approval. "Wind electricity is a creative alternative that is now affordable and reliable."
Texas led the nation in C02 emissions from coal-fired power plants in 2003 — accounting for more than 254 million tons of C02 emissions, similar to adding an additional 44 million cars to Texas roads. Many Texas power plants consistently rank among the ten worst in terms of C02 and other emissions that contribute to smog, acid rain, global warming and other adverse environmental consequences, based on 2003 data from the EPA.
About Marek Elementary School
Mary Burks Marek Elementary opened its doors for the first time on August 10, 2004. It is Alvin ISD's eleventh Elementary School. Located in the new Pearland community of Shadow Creek Ranch, the school educates pre-kindergarten through sixth rade students.
About The Freedom Seal of Approval Program
The Freedom Seal of Approval Program (www.FreedomSeal.org) is the first total home certification program in the United States that assists consumers to make more informed home purchasing decisions. The Freedom Seal of Approval is awarded to homes that are more energy efficient, healthier, environmentally friendly, and offer advanced technology capabilities.
About Green Mountain Energy Company
Founded in 1997 to "change the way power is made", Green Mountain Energy Company offers residential, business, institutional and governmental customers the choice to support cleaner electricity generated from sources such as wind, solar, water, geothermal, biomass and natural gas. Due to Green Mountain Energy Company's efforts, about 600,000 customers nationwide are purchasing electricity that is significantly less polluting than typical system power. The company is based in Austin, Texas.
Green Mountain Energy® and the Green Mountain Energy logo are registered service marks of Green Mountain Energy Company. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Houston, TX — January 21, 2005 — Marek Elementary School, located in the Shadow Creek Ranch master-planned community in Pearland, Texas, announced today at a school rally the launch of the 'save Watt' program, a community-wide, school-driven initiative designed to educate both students and adults about the importance of clean air now and for future generations.
"We're excited to be the inaugural school for this clean air program," said Jennifer Valdez, principal at Marek Elementary School. "Our students are committed to doing their part to help clean the air, conserving energy and making education a foundation of their community. We want to encourage other schools and communities to join us in this effort."
According to a 2004 report by the American Lung Association, Houston ranks in the top five metropolitan areas in the U.S. with the worst ozone air pollution. Additionally, Harris County ranks in the top ten counties in the U.S. with the worst ozone air pollution.
"Clearly there is a challenge with air quality in and around the entire Houston region," said Tom Reid, mayor of Pearland. "It's refreshing to see one of the local schools taking the lead in getting the word out about this problem, but more importantly, offering solutions that are a step in the right direction to solving the problem. This is truly a community-wide, grassroots effort that is being driven by the students to do their part to address a serious problem we face every day."
The Save Watt Program
Save Watt is a comprehensive education and community action program designed for students and their parents to learn more about choices that can be made to help reduce air pollution and encourage energy conservation — essentially, save watts. Additionally, the program allows schools to raise money for important projects.
The program has three basic components: a curriculum designed for students and adults to learn more about clean air solutions to educate the community; an activity component where students identify energy waste and savings opportunities in their home; and a fundraising component that provides community residents with the opportunity to help raise money for the school and for the community by signing-up for pollution-free electricity generated by the wind from Green Mountain Energy Company. The money raised may be used for school and community projects, books, and a nature center, to name a few. Green Mountain Energy Company and The Freedom Seal of Approval created the program in collaboration with the school and volunteer parents.
By signing up for Green Mountain Energy® electricity, a Pearland resident with average monthly electricity usage of 1,000 kilowatt-hours can help avoid nearly 18,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (C02) per year, equivalent to about 20,000 miles not driven in a year. This would be like taking almost 2 cars off the road for an entire year to avoid the same amount of C02.
"We feel this partnership presents a very unique opportunity for us and for the residents of Shadow Creek Ranch," said Paul Thomas, president and CEO of Green Mountain Energy Company. "This community becomes a model for what can be done in Houston and across America."
Shadow Creek Ranch is a model community for energy conservation and cost savings. All the homes in the master planned community consume thirty percent less energy than traditionally built homes. The fastest growing community of its kind in the nation, Shadow Creek Ranch is adding nearly 1,200 new homes a year.
"These children are taking the challenge of helping reduce air pollution and conserving energy into their own hands," said David Goswick, Managing Director of The Freedom Seal of Approval. "Wind electricity is a creative alternative that is now affordable and reliable."
Texas led the nation in C02 emissions from coal-fired power plants in 2003 — accounting for more than 254 million tons of C02 emissions, similar to adding an additional 44 million cars to Texas roads. Many Texas power plants consistently rank among the ten worst in terms of C02 and other emissions that contribute to smog, acid rain, global warming and other adverse environmental consequences, based on 2003 data from the EPA.
About Marek Elementary School
Mary Burks Marek Elementary opened its doors for the first time on August 10, 2004. It is Alvin ISD's eleventh Elementary School. Located in the new Pearland community of Shadow Creek Ranch, the school educates pre-kindergarten through sixth rade students.
About The Freedom Seal of Approval Program
The Freedom Seal of Approval Program (www.FreedomSeal.org) is the first total home certification program in the United States that assists consumers to make more informed home purchasing decisions. The Freedom Seal of Approval is awarded to homes that are more energy efficient, healthier, environmentally friendly, and offer advanced technology capabilities.
About Green Mountain Energy Company
Founded in 1997 to "change the way power is made", Green Mountain Energy Company offers residential, business, institutional and governmental customers the choice to support cleaner electricity generated from sources such as wind, solar, water, geothermal, biomass and natural gas. Due to Green Mountain Energy Company's efforts, about 600,000 customers nationwide are purchasing electricity that is significantly less polluting than typical system power. The company is based in Austin, Texas.
Green Mountain Energy® and the Green Mountain Energy logo are registered service marks of Green Mountain Energy Company. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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