At the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Board of Education July meeting, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) presented OKCPS with a check representing more than $450,000 in savings and rebates for its participation in multiple energy efficiency programs.

“Research shows that enrollment in an energy efficiency program provides schools up to 20% in annual savings,” said Jeannette Staden, senior program manager at OG&E. “We’re helping energize education in Oklahoma and Arkansas by helping schools save on their energy bills. Our programs help schools become more efficient and save on energy costs, freeing up funds that can go more directly toward educating students.”

Since 2016, OG&E has implemented 3,888 energy-saving measures for school districts across Oklahoma and western Arkansas, resulting in more than $6 million in savings and rebates to participating schools that saved an estimated total of 64.75 million kWh of energy. More than 30 schools in the electric company’s service area currently participate in one or more of the Schools & Government Energy Efficiency (SAGE) Programs, and OG&E hopes to expand the programs to more schools, particularly in rural communities, in the future.

“OG&E has always been a supportive community partner to OKCPS,” said OKCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel. “Our team has worked closely with OG&E to ensure that our schools are maximizing energy efficiency across the district and as a result, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in rebates. We’re grateful for OG&E’s ongoing investment in local education.”

While OG&E’s dedicated energy efficiency programs for schools began in 2013, the electric company has a long history of supporting and investing in local education. In addition to offering energy efficiency programs to schools, the company also funds student scholarships and teacher projects, provides classrooms with energy education materials and partners with educational institutions to cultivate a pipeline of strong industry professionals. OG&E also offers the LivingWise Program, a household energy curriculum, to students in 5th grade in Oklahoma and 6th grade in Arkansas, as well as E-Smart Kids, free programming that teaches k-6 students about electricity, energy and how to use it safely through information, games and activities. To learn more about how OG&E invests in education across its service area, visit oge.com/education.

“Being a good partner to our school districts and investing in education is a critical component of our commitment to bettering and growing the communities we serve,” said Staden. “Helping schools save money and energy is one of the most important ways we can support our students, teachers and classrooms.”

To learn more about OG&E’s energy efficiency programs and how to sign up, visit oge.com/energy-solutions today. For schools interested in participating in the Schools & Government Energy Efficiency Program, please email CEEP@oge.com.

OG&E, a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp., provides our customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas with the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes with some of the nation's lowest electric rates. We are committed to generating and delivering electricity, protecting the environment, and providing excellent service to approximately 900,000 customers. Our employees live, work, and volunteer in the communities we serve. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.