State launches contest for schools to save energy

NORTHFIELD, Vt.—The state of Vermont has launched a contest to get schools to reduce their contributions to global warming this winter.

Under it, the schools that reduce the most carbon emissions per student will get $5,000 for energy-saving building renovations.

The contest revolves around the Web site http://www.carbonrally.com, where schools can monitor their carbon savings, from changing a light bulb to cleaning out appliances and lowering the thermostat.

The Northfield junior/senior high school became the first school to enter the contest on Tuesday.

"We are hoping a lot of other schools will join us," said Principal Tom McKone.

Students Nick Gonneville, 17, and Danny Rowe, 16, of Northfield, said simple things like bringing lunch in reusable containers or reducing shower length can help.

"It is the little things that people can do in their lives that make a difference," said Gov. Jim Douglas, who agreed to take shorter showers to reduce the amount of energy he uses to heat water.

The state also is working toward a "25 by 25" goal of producing a quarter of the country's energy needs from farms and forests as part of the governor's climate change plan announced last year, said George Crombie, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.

And businesses are taking steps to reduce the production of carbon pollution that causes global warming, Douglas said.

State Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, who has made global warming a priority in the last two legislative sessions, said Douglas has not delivered on his goals.

Shumlin, D-Windham, points to Douglas' opposition to industrial wind projects, which he says has hampered development of renewable energy.

The Agency of Natural Resources is drawing up a report on how many of the 260 recommendations in the governor's climate change plan have already been started, which have not and how much they will cost, said Richard Valentinetti, head of the air quality division for the agency.

"There is a lot happening. I would say it is difficult to measure some of this, but there are a lot of programs out there that are directionally correct and are having an impact on reducing (carbon dioxide)," he said.

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Information from: The Times Argus, http://www.timesargus.com/