The Hazelwood School District has saved more than $855,000 from its participation in the Missouri School Boards Association’s (MSBA) Natural Gas Consortium. The District began participating in the Natural Gas Consortium in 2003.
“Since that time, you have realized a cumulative reduction in your heating costs of $855,968,” said James. W. Cherrington, MSBA’s associate executive director of school resources. “This is the difference from what you have paid versus what you would have paid to your utility if you were not in the program. As a member-benefit, this program costs your district nothing to participate in, and you do not have any additional costs incurred.”
“This is a real positive to our taxpayers and the school district,” said Dr. Steve Price, superintendent.
According to MSBA, utility bills are the second largest expense for most school districts and every dollar saved on energy costs is another dollar that can be spent on students. In 1999, MSBA formed the Natural Gas Consortium, which allows districts to participate in an aggregate purchasing program for natural gas. Using an economy of scale principle, all participating districts realize energy savings thanks to the large volume being purchased; individually, no district could achieve similar results.
Since the program began, it has grown to more 200 participating districts who have realized an energy savings in excess of $20 million.