A dedication ceremony was held Monday for three wind turbines that will help Western Reserve School District go green. The turbines are just the start of what school officials hope will be a more energy efficient district.
"It is my hope, my friends, that what Western Reserve has done here will serve as an example to other schools and encourage them," said Gov. Ted Strickland.
What Western Reserve is doing is leading the way for renewable energy projects in the state. It's the first school district in Ohio to use wind power as a way to cut energy costs.
"It's important to try to save where you can," said Superintendent Chuck Swindler. "I think it's one, it's the future. I don't think we can keep using all of our resources that are not renewable and this is just a step in that direction."
Strickland said the project is a way to teach, promote a cleaner environment and to generate renewable energy that will save money for the district long-term.
The district plans to break ground on a new energy efficient K-12 school in April. Along with wind power, the new building will also utilize geothermal energy. More than 200 geothermal wells will help save the district even more money. Scot Loveland, Renewable Energy manager, said the new school, when complete in 2011, will be mostly self-sufficient.
The district also plans to integrate classroom curriculum around the turbines, which could make them eligible for more grant money.
