Page 4 - Priorities #42 2009-January

Greenis the New Black
The Greening of the Priory
Priory faculty Hovey Clark stands with Jodey Glaser (‘09) and Battery Robot, the school’s battery recy- cling ‘mascot’. Mr. Clark and Jodey worked together on a short video about Battery Robot, which was presented to students with the Daily Bulletin, as a way of promoting the school’s efforts in the proper dis- posal of batteries and other e-waste.
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researched and authored a realistic plan to install solar at the Priory. Their dream has finally come to fruition.
The Priory, to date, has the largest operating solar installation of any private school in the Bay Area. That’s quite a feat; especially in sun drenched Silicon Valley.
Brother Edward said the project would not only cut electricity costs, but also emphasize Priory’s goal of becoming good stewards of the environment. St. Benedict wrote about being good stewards of all our resources 1500 years ago, and it’s a lesson the Priory takes to heart.
The 135Kw, 83 panel system is ground mounted below the monastery and roof mounted on the sci-
ence building, Anselm House and lower classrooms. “The Priory has always provided an environ-
ment for our students and on-campus faculty that is one of balance and sustainability, as well as enhanc- ing the Benedictine values it holds as the corner- stone for the school. From the Priory’s founding, the monks have been going green,” said Al Zappelli, Director of Admissions.
When completed, the project will generate 50 percent of the school’s electricity and will eliminate the production of approximately 347,720 pounds of pollution per year. This is the equivalent of 3000 SUVs.
“It’s really a win-win [situation] because the school can get into renewable energy, they’re going to pay a rate that’s competitive with PG&E, yet re- duce their total overall carbon footprint,” said Larry Sullivan (class of ‘86) of Solar City.
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wo years ago, Chase Haegele (Class of ’06) and Mike Mellenthin (Class of ’06)* as part of
a Current Events senior class project,