Reduce ongoing utility and other expenses for our schools.

For example, installing Energy Star certified HVAC, windows, and highest efficiency solar panels to generate electricity all result in reduced ongoing costs.

We are currently running a deficit and our reserves are dwindling. We could run out of reserves and start making cuts to educational programs or further cuts to support services.

The City of Piedmont has an ordinance that requires LEED certification, see Civic Green Building Ordinance:

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/climate.shtml

http://www.usgbc.org/projects/schools---new-construction

If we use our capital expenditures to get LEED-certified renovations, we will be reducing our ongoing expenditures.

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Pete Palmer (October 10, 2016): The district's electric bill is approximately $350 to $400k annually. Our goal, through conservation, high-efficiency mech units/boilers, improved bld envelope, and a district-wide solar master plan (which would include battery storage), to reduce our annual electrical bill to net zero.