Suffolk, schools see $1.2M energy savings
Portrait of Connetquot School Superintendent Alan Groveman in the district's Bus depot in Bohemia. He is looking to convert his district's diesel bus fleet to Natural gas. (May 3, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Suffolk County and dozens of its school districts are reporting a breakthrough in their attempts to pool resources -- a successful joint bid on natural gas that officials say will save a combined $1.2 million annually in heating costs.
The new gas contract, which began in October and runs through May with two annual renewal options, will save school districts 16.1 percent and county agencies at least 9.5 percent, local government representatives said. The gas is supplied by Plymouth Rock, a Woodmere energy retailer.
The potential savings may not sound like much compared with the money spent each year by Suffolk's 68 school districts, which totals more than $5 billion. But school administrators view the joint contract as significant because it follows on the heels of other cooperative ventures that came up short.
Over the years, district purchases of natural gas have increased as schools have installed new dual burners that use natural gas and fuel oil and natural-gas-powered buses.
"Gas purchases turned out to be the most effective," said Alan Groveman, the Connetquot schools chief and president of the Suffolk County Association of School Superintendents.
Roberta Gerold, the Middle Country schools superintendent, estimated the gas contract will save her district $200,000 annually. "Any savings is a pleasure, and $200,000 saves us three teachers," she said.
Schools have felt more pressure to demonstrate frugality since the economic downturn began in 2008. Nassau County and its school districts recently have explored joint ventures as well, and districts there have reported savings in areas such as shared bus runs.
Some Suffolk districts have purchased gas jointly for years with help from Eastern Suffolk BOCES and the state. But the effort took a big step forward last year when Suffolk County's government joined in.
The latest collective purchase involves 43 agencies, including 37 school districts, the Town of Brookhaven and the county.
Steve Levy, who initiated the county's participation in the pool purchase before leaving the post of county executive, said expansion of such cooperative ventures could prove more practical and publicly acceptable than attempts to merge school districts.
"Consolidating districts is still a heavy lift," Levy said. "But pooling services is at our fingertips."
