Supporting Local Students
Over the past decade LEAP has developed strong ties with teachers and students at two local schools – Crossett Brook Middle School (CBMS) in Duxbury, and Harwood Union High School (HUHS) in Moretown – to support and encourage their students to undertake green energy efforts. Among other projects:
LEAP worked with CBMS to help it install 172 kW of solar panels on site, giving it the second highest solar capacity of any school in Vermont.
LEAP collaborated with CBMS in the creation of a walking tour of the solar arrays including informational signs around the school.
CBMS students conducted a school-wide audit of electrical appliances and identified those that are most energy-inefficient (e.g., mini-fridges) or that were not being fully utilized. The students turned off many of the underused appliances and used funds from LEAP to acquire more energy-efficient appliances.
Every year at the LEAP Energy Fair we have a special ceremony and give the Waterbury LEAP Green Community Award to "the student or team of students with the best project related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, or emissions reduction." Students at CBMS and HUHS receive the trophy and a cash prize. In past years these have been awarded to students by Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders, or Congressman Peter Welch.
