Sandy Melton, Energy Specialist for Troup County School System takes pride in helping save the environment while helping TCSS build its energy efficiency practices throughout the school system. Last week, thanks in major part to her efforts and a partnership with Cenergistic, TCSS was awarded the Chairman’s Sustainability Award.

Since forming the alliance with Cenergistic, Melton works directly with the organization to analyze every energy-use point which results in a plan to use energy wisely and eliminate waste. Melton updates plans and programs as the seasons change, performs frequent energy audits, and ensures proper conservation practices are consistently used.

When presenting the award, the Chairman and Founder of Cenergistic, Dr. William S. Spears, said, “Troup County School System has achieved a 32 percent energy cost savings that total a $7.9 million savings over a 90-month period since they have partnered with Cenergistic. The school system should be commended for clearly fulfilling their commitment to being good stewards of the taxpayer’s money and the environment. The system joins a very committed, elite group of organizations across the country working hard to conserve energy so that dollars saved can be reserved for educational needs.”

Melton sends monthly announcements to all employees. She noted that a key benefit of the program is that it is self-funded.

“All program costs come out of the existing budget. The program’s savings pay for itself,” Melton said. “It also helps protect the environment. In the last seven years, our energy savings is equivalent to removing 6,556 automobiles from the road. My goal is to encourage, inform, educate and motivate all of our employees to be diligent citizens of the environment.”