Fredericksburg Standard Post Big money that the Fredericksburg Independent School District never had to spend was discussed by the district’s energy manager Ned Butler in an update for the Board of Trustees at their regular monthly meeting Monday night. As the district wraps up its commitment with Energy Education, Inc., Butler noted that in the 53 months of the program the energy costs that the FISD avoided by instituting conservation and management measures added up to $769,184. Each year of the program, Butler reported, the district’s savings exceeded the company’s projections, in spite of the fact that since the program began new buildings have been added on the five campuses and rates for energy have exceeded predictions. With their contract with Energy Education, Inc. completed, the district will continue with Butler at the helm and the company will still be available to provide free assistance if needed. The program began in May 2002. Cost projections were based on usage adjusted for changes in weather, energy loads and predicted prices. The program Butler headed had as its goal reductions in equipment run times and education that would result in behavior changes among the faculty and staff. “You have to get people to buy into the program,” said Butler, who was dubbed the FISD’s ‘energy czar’. “It’s a mindset change.” Butler noted that at the high school campus, for example, a science building and field house have been added since 2002 and the gym was air conditioned. “In kilowatts, we’re using less now that we did in the base year,” he said. He also noted that natural gas use has decreased even though prices have gone up. Projected savings for the district are expected to reach $1.9 million by 2012.