June 12, 2007—Portland Public Schools and Oregon Environmental Council Team Up for Cleaner Air, Energy Savings
Partnership to replace aging boiler highlights proactive efforts to protect children’s health and cut energy costs
PORTLAND, Ore.—June 12, 2007—In a win for the environment, children’s health and school taxpayers, the Oregon Environmental Council and Portland Public Schools have partnered to replace a “bunker oil” heating system with a cleaner, more efficient natural gas system at Harvey Scott Elementary School in Northeast Portland.
Harvey Scott was built in 1951, and, like many other schools built in the era, heats its classrooms with a boiler that uses oil #5, also known as “bunker fuel.” PPS has been switching to cleaner natural gas since 2001, but more than 40 schools still await conversion.
One goal is to reduce pollution, especially for children, who are more susceptible to asthma, respiratory illnesses and, in come cases, cancer. Pollution poses a greater health threat to young bodies because their respiratory systems are still developing and pound-for-pound they breathe more air than adults and thus take in more pollution. As a result of the partnership at Harvey Scott, approximately 660 pounds of SO2, 500 pounds of NOx, 100 pounds of PM, and 112 tons of CO2 annually will no longer be emitted. Benzene and formaldehyde emissions will also be reduced.
The emissions from a school boiler are minor compared to the amount of pollutants released regionally by other sources such as industry or traffic; however the District is making changes where it can to improve the health of children and the environment. See the table below for associated impacts to human health and the environment.
|
Pollutant |
Health/Environmental Effects |
|
Carbon Dioxide |
A greenhouse gas |
|
Sulfur dioxides (SO2) |
Associated with increased incidence of respiratory symptoms and diseases, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and premature mortality. A contributor to acid rain. |
|
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) |
Affects breathing and the respiratory system, can cause damage to lung tissue, and premature death. A greenhouse gas, and acid rain and smog contributor. |
|
Particulate Matter <2.5 (PM 2.5) |
Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example; decreased lung function; aggravated asthma; and premature death in people with heart or lung disease. |
|
Formaldehyde |
Cancer, respiratory damage. |
|
Benzene |
Cancer, central nervous system depression |
|
SOURCES: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Bank. |
|
Another outcome is energy savings. According to Catherine Diviney, PPS Energy Specialist, the project at Harvey Scott, which includes not only the main boiler conversion, but also upgrades to the school’s automated energy management system and the annex heating system, should save Portland Public Schools about $13,000 a year in utility costs, with a payback of about 13 years.
“Portland Public Schools is fortunate to have partners like the Oregon Environmental Council that help us leverage our limited funds for capital improvement,” Diviney says.
“Portland Public Schools has shown great initiative in protecting children’s health and the health of the environment throughout the District. We are very happy to be part of this effort,” says Sara Leverette, Outreach Program Director with the Oregon Environmental Council.
The Oregon Environmental Council is donating $20,000 toward the $230,000 cost of the Harvey Scott project as part of its broader goal to reduce children’s exposure to toxic pollutants. The balance will be paid by PPS using a combination of Senate Bill 1149 funds, Business Energy Tax Credits, and District funds.
About the Oregon Environmental Council
The Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon – clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For nearly 40 years we’ve been a champion for solutions that protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids from toxins, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and ensuring healthy food and local farms.
About Portland Public Schools
At Portland Public Schools, this is our goal: By the end of elementary, middle, and high school, every student by name will meet or exceed academic standards and will be fully prepared to make productive life decisions. The US Environmental Projection Agency in 2006 recognized Portland Public Schools’ work to improve indoor air quality in schools with a national “Excellence Award.” For more information on Portland Public Schools, call 503-916-3304, e-mail us at pubinfo@pps.k12.or.us, or visit www.pps.k12.or.us. Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
