The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is steering over $183,000 into the sails of Midway R-I School District’s energy efficiency project. The official announcement states the project includes the installation of eight ground-mounted solar arrays with a combined capacity of 155 kilowatts, aimed to help reduce the electricity use of the K-12 school facilities.
With this initiative, not only is the school expected to significantly cut down on its energy bills – to the tune of an estimated $20,977 annually – it's also projected to greatly decrease its carbon footprint. The system will reduce electricity consumption by over 218,146-kilowatt hours, equating to effectively removing 47.3 cars off the road for a full year. Plus, the school district aims to seamlessly repay the loan using the savings garnered from the lowered energy costs, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
"The Energy Loan Program provides the opportunity to make improvements by installing energy efficient innovations," noted Emily Wilbur, director of MoDNR's Division of Energy, in the official statement. The program is framed not just as an energy saver but as an economic catalyst, potentially redirecting taxpayer dollars towards other critical priorities within the community, as per the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Since its inception in 1989, MoDNR’s Energy Loan Program has stepped in to grant over 630 loans, which translates into more than $120 million in energy efficiency projects completion and upwards of $235 million in cumulative estimated energy savings. These loans have consistently helped to empower public schools, public higher education institutions, and local governments to boldly reduce their energy expenses through various innovative upgrades.
This year's cycle of the Energy Loan Program continues to boost various entities by providing low-interest loans for the fiscal year 2025 cycle. These funds are destined for a wide range of energy-saving investments, from the basics such as insulation and lighting systems, to more complex endeavours like combined heat and power systems, renewable energy systems, and beyond. Their goal is clear: to trim down energy use and costs, making Missouri a leader in energy efficiency.
