WISE USE NEWS

An Energy Conservation Newsletter March 2024

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:2

We are pleased to bring you this edition

of Wise Use News, the energy
conservation newsletter.

This newsletter provides updates on

energy strategies, performance, and
initiatives at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board (DPCDSB). A special
thanks to the Energy Management team
for their leadership, innovation and
guidance in this critical area. What’s Inside
Page 2 Energizing Our Path Forward
Page 3 Strategic Thinking in Action: Aligning
Energy Management with the
Board’s Long-Term Goals
Page 4 FIve Years of Success: Our Journey
with Save on Energy’s Energy
Manager Program (2018 - 2022)
Page 5 Save on Energy Honours Edward Cai
and DPCDSB with a 2022 Energy
Manager of the Year Award
Page 6 Nurturing Sustainable Habits for a
Brighter Tomorrow

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Energizing Our Path Forward
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of energy management, we are
proud to present this edition of the Wise Use News energy conservation
newsletter. Our collective efforts have not only propelled us forward but
have also set a benchmark for sustainable practices within our schools and
facilities.
Following are some of the highlights of our
energy journey from 2019 to 2023:
Strategic Thinking
In embracing strategic thinking, DPCDSB has
aligned its Energy Management Plan with the
Board's overarching goals and has taken a
proactive step by integrating it into the Multi-
Year Strategic Plan and the Long-Term
Facilities Master Plan. The detailed Five-Year
Energy Conservation and Demand
Management Plan further solidified our
commitment to responsible resource
management and financial stewardship. This
holistic approach ensures the efficiency of our
energy initiatives and significantly contributes
to creating a sustainable and environmentally
conscious setting for our schools and facilities.
Review of Energy Performance
An essential element of DPCDSB’s journey
involves assessing our energy performance.
Over the past five years, we have observed
notable accomplishments, recognizing areas of
excellence and pinpointing opportunities for
improvement. In terms of energy savings, the
cumulative energy savings during this period
reached 14,694 MWh per year, with a
corresponding cumulative cost containment of
$2.5 million per year. This is the result of the
many energy efficiency projects implemented
within the period and the effective
collaboration between the Energy
Management Team and school administrators.
2
IESO Energy Manager of the Year Award
DPCDSB was proud to be recognized with the
IESO Energy Manager of the Year Award for
2022. Environmental Support Services
Manager, Edward Cai, received this
noteworthy award for steering a strong energy
conservation team leading to the achievement
of the Board’s sustainability and energy-
reduction goals. This accolade is also a
testament to the dedication of every
individual involved in DPCDSB’s collective
energy management efforts.
School Updates from the Inter-School
Stewardship and Sustainable Practices
Council
DPCDSB schools, under the guidance of the
Inter-School Stewardship and Sustainable
Practices Council, have been active hubs of
positive change. 100% of our schools are
certified Ontario EcoSchools. The Energy
Management Team works jointly with our
EcoSchools program team at DPCDSB to
enhance engagement and awareness.
Initiatives such as switching off lights during
Earth Hour and participating in National
Sweater Day teach our staff and students
about the value of energy conservation and its
implications for our environment.
As we proceed to the next step on DPCDSB’s
energy management journey, we will continue
to follow a strategic approach, complemented
by a robust energy management plan, and an
ongoing commitment to involve all DPCDSB
staff and students in this endeavour.
Strategic Thinking in Action
Aligning Energy Management with the Board’s Long-Term Goals
DPCDSB is dedicated to enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency
across its educational facilities. Significant efforts were made to align its
Energy Management Plan with the Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan and
Long-Term Facilities Master Plan.

This collaborative approach ensures that

energy goals are met while achieving a more
sustainable environment for students and
staff.

Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP)

The alignment of the Energy Management Plan
with the comprehensive objectives outlined in
the Board's Multi-Year Strategic Plan reflects a
commitment to good stewardship of resources
and financial responsibility, emphasizing the
importance of creating a clean, healthy, and
safe school environment.
Five-Year Energy Conservation and Demand
Management Plan
To further reinforce our commitment, a
detailed Energy Conservation and Demand
Management Plan has been developed every
five years since 2014. This plan outlines areas
of focus and priority, delineates the allocation
of resources, and presents a comprehensive
set of strategies, initiatives, and best practices
to achieve energy-saving goals.

Long-Term Facilities Master Plan (LTFMP)

A noteworthy development in our strategy also
involved the seamless integration of the
Energy Management Plan into the Long-Term
Facilities Master Plan. This incorporation
ensures that energy conservation and
sustainability are an integral part of the
broader infrastructure and facilities planning,
construction, operation and maintenance,
creating a synergistic approach for sustainable
and efficient facility management.

3
Five Years of Success
Our Journey with Save on Energy’s Energy Manager Program (2018 - 2022)

As we look back to the past five years since we started with Save on
Energy’s Energy Manager program, we find ourselves celebrating this
journey marked by dedication, innovation, and tangible results.

Our Collective Success The graph below offers a visual depiction of

As shown in the table below, over five terms our actual cost savings on electricity over the
spanning from 2018 to 2022, we have achieved past five years:
cumulative energy savings of 14,694 MWh/yr.
This represents a significant accomplishment
in energy conservation and carbon emission
reduction.

Embracing a Sustainable Future

Moreover, our efforts yielded an estimated
cost saving of $2.5 million/yr., which is verified
by our actual financial data of $2.8 million/yr.
cost reduction on electricity for the same
period.
Our partnership with Save on Energy
continues with their new Strategic Energy
Management (SEM) program. This will
empower us to further reduce our
environmental footprint and strengthen our
role as conscientious stewards of
sustainability within our community.

This remarkable accomplishment underscores

the tangible impact of our endeavours on the
bottom line.

4
Save on Energy Honours Edward Cai and DPCDSB
with a 2022 Energy Manager of the Year Award
From left to right: Mark Lim, Biju Mathews, Edward Cai, Richard Moriah,
Tam Wagner, Chuck Farmer, and Robert Di Iorio
Every year, Save on Energy celebrates
Ontario’s most creative and forward-thinking
energy managers and their work to champion
energy efficiency in their organizations. Save
on Energy has held these industry-leading
awards since 2017 to recognize the skill and
dedication of these individuals and their
organizations' commitment to energy-
efficiency best practices.
As one of the five winners across the province,
Edward Cai and DPCDSB won this highly
regarded award for 2022. Save on Energy
states that at DPCDSB, energy manager
Edward Cai has built a strong energy
conservation team of 40 people who are able
to deliver significant savings through their
work in operations, maintenance, conservation
awareness and employee engagement.
Watch DPCDSB’s video from Save on Energy here.
5
Between 2018 and 2022, the team’s efforts to
implement energy efficiency and conservation
projects led to $2.5 million in savings each
year. These projects are key to the school
board’s sustainability and energy-reduction
goals and are making a real difference across
the entire board.
It is the result of a tremendous team effort on
energy conservation and sustainability, and
the honour belongs to everyone in the
Dufferin-Peel community.
Save on Energy manages the Conservation
and Demand Management (CDM) programs
offered by the Independent Electricity System
Operator (IESO) in Ontario.
Reference:
Save on Energy. (2023). Energy Manager of the Year
Awards. https://saveonenergy.ca/For-Business-and-
Industry/Programs-and-incentives/Energy-Manager-
Program/Award-Winners
Nurturing Sustainable Habits for a Brighter Tomorrow
Staff and students in both elementary and secondary panels within
DPCDSB continue to be active stewards, not just of their Catholic school
communities but also of their physical buildings. The EcoTeams across our
Board diligently engage in daily efforts to uphold energy conservation and
management as fundamental goals.

Several initiatives undertaken by the

EcoTeams, in collaboration with school
administration and custodial teams, are aimed
at collectively promoting awareness regarding
energy conservation and reducing energy
consumption. These initiatives serve as crucial
elements of their overall Eco Certification
School Plans and embody the principles
outlined in the Board's Multi-Year Strategic
Plan. Whether it's the simple act of switching
off lights and devices or actively participating
in global events such as WWF Earth Hour and
National Sweater Day, DPCDSB staff and
students eagerly engage in these school-wide
activities, embracing them with enthusiasm,
fanfare, and a spirit of celebration.

Daily Energy Preservation

A crucial and straightforward approach to
contributing to energy conservation involves
the conscientious use of lights, monitors,
computers, printers, and photocopiers by
turning them off when not in use. With the
participation of 111 schools, this simple yet
effective practice holds the potential for
significant reductions in energy consumption.
The impact of such efforts is being actively
monitored and tracked by EcoSchools Canada,
an organization dedicated to promoting
sustainability in educational institutions.

6
WWF Earth Hour
Participating in the WWF Earth Hour
movement is a powerful act of solidarity for
our planet. By collectively switching off lights,
individuals contribute to a global initiative that
underscores the importance of environmental
consciousness. The impact of this movement is
meticulously tracked, with a focus on the
number of students and staff engaged. As of
now, 119 DPCDSB schools have actively joined
this endeavour, symbolizing a growing
community dedicated to raising awareness
and taking tangible steps toward a sustainable
future.

National Sweater Day

Our planet is getting hotter, National Sweater
Day presents a simple yet impactful solution
for schools to contribute to climate action. By
encouraging students and staff to collectively
turn down the heat and don cozy sweaters,
DPCDSB can play a part in reducing energy
consumption and lowering carbon footprints.
This initiative tracks the number of students
and staff engaged, With 121 schools actively
participating, the collective effort signifies a
shared dedication to raising awareness about
climate change and fostering a sense of
responsibility for our environment.
Earth Hour pledges from students of St. Thomas More CES

These examples represent only a fraction of

what is happening across all DPCDSB schools.
The tireless and inspiring work put forth
involves collaboration with various partners
and stakeholders at the school, Board, and
community levels. During the 2023-2024
school year we will continue our efforts to
invite, celebrate, and recognize the amazing
work happening in DPCDSB, particularly
focusing on energy management and our
collective dedication to preserving one of
God's most cherished creations and our
common home — the planet Earth!