District Saves $1 Million Through Energy Efficiency
SAN MATEO, Calif. - When the San Mateo County Community College District first went looking for energy savings in 2000, the school district had no idea just how valuable the search would be.
The district, which includes the College of San Mateo, Skyline College, and Canada College, was spending about $2.2 million on energy costs each year - enough electricity and natural gas to serve 2,500 homes. In addition, it was facing the possibility of having to replace much of the infrastructure built in the 1960s - such as heating and cooling systems -- that was nearing the end of its useful life. Taking this step would have cost more than $40 million.