Fall tour of Energy Efficiency Education program under way

A successful repeat performance in 2015 for Mississippi Power’s Energy Efficiency Education program sounds great to Tamara Proctor.

Right now, the program’s energy efficiency representative is in the middle of a fall tour that takes her to 20 schools in the company’s service territory. She’s also set to do 20 more next spring.

“Once we’re able to get in the door, the schools take it from there,” Proctor said. “Last year, we visited 30 schools, and this year the goal is 40. We began by sending an informational letter to district superintendents, and now we also send those to administrators and teachers. The visits come and go in waves. It’s catching on in a lot of areas.”

The program provides education and energy conservation materials to fourth- and fifth-grade students. Each student that attends the school presentation takes home an energy efficiency kit, including several CFL bulbs, an LED nightlight and a questionnaire on their family’s energy habits.

If 75 percent of the class returns the questionnaire, they’ll be eligible for a $250 grant from the company.

In 2015, grants totaled $5,750. Proctor said that could increase this year as more schools participate.

At a recent stop at Bayou View Elementary in Gulfport, students learned several important energy saving tips, including:

• 52 percent of a homeowner’s power bill is generated by its heating/cooling system.
• Always keep the thermostat set at 78 degrees in the summer.
• A house’s heating/cooling system is the third most expensive family investment following the cost of their home and a car.

“We try to keep things simple and on their level,” Proctor said. “The teachers are also interested in these tips, so it plays to different audiences.”