Energy powers our city – it lights, heats, and cools our homes, schools, and businesses. It fuels our vehicles. Generating energy from fossil fuels (such as oil, gas, and natural gas) releases air pollutants and greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The District is working toward two goals: supplying energy that is derived from more sustainable, cleaner energy sources (such as wind and solar power); and reducing overall energy use.
Sustainable DC and Clean Energy DC both commit all District buildings to reduce energy consumption. The District’s commitment to increase energy efficiency, coupled with education and awareness of a school’s energy consumption, will promote institutional changes. Instilling a culture of energy conservation will not only reduce the environmental and human health impacts associated with fossil fuel combustion but will reduce spending on energy so that funds can be used for education.
Lesson Plans: Consider utilizing one or more of the following curricular resources to teach about energy.
Multiple Grades
- Alliance to Save Energy
- National Energy Education Development Project
- (filtered results for “energy” resources)
- Vermont Energy Education Program: and for various learning environments
Elementary School
- (Grades K-2)
- : create reminders to unplug appliances for their schools and homes (Grades 3-5)
- (Grades 3-5)
Middle and High School
Student Audits and Actions: Consider utilizing one or more of the following resources to encourage student action on conserving energy at your school.
- Project Learning Tree Energy Investigation (register for free download for and )
- (for Grades K-3)
- (for Grades 9-12)
- Energy Patrol examples: , , ,
- : Student teams to build and race battery-powered electric cars (for Grades 9-12)
Celebratory Events: Consider bringing awareness to your school’s energy conservation initiatives by celebrating these national/international awareness days at your school.
- : last Saturday in March
- : third week in April
Teacher Resources: Consider taking advantage of the following resources to improve energy conservation.
- , subsection for includes requirements around energy reduction and reporting
- National Energy Education Development Project
- Energy 101 series: , , , , and
School Building Data: Use these resources to help complete the energy audit questions.
- Find your school’s Energy Star score by using the
- : DGS manages energy at all DCPS schools
- : information and data, especially relevant for charter and independent school buildings (Grades 9-12)
- Use to determine if your school has received any green building certifications, such as LEED certifications
Contacts: Consider reaching out to the following contacts regarding energy data.
- School Custodial Team/Building Engineer: To learn more about a school’s temperature setback policy or other measures to regulate energy usage in the school building. The building engineer or foreman should be able to provide more information.
- Department of Energy and Environment:
- Department of General Services:
Capital LEAF Links: