The Austin Independent School District is one of 100 public high schools, colleges and universities joining together in the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon program to reduce their carbon emissions and save on energy costs.

Student teams, led by a faculty coach and supported by school administrators and building operators, are exploring no cost-low cost behavior changes as well as larger projects to increase energy efficiency and create clean energy on campus.

University of Minnesota student Kathleen McCarthy is working with the student organization EcoWatch and school officials to see if a green roof is viable for a Twin Cities campus building. “Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon provides us with seed money to get our project moving, but it is also a great tool for networking and finding other resources out there that we can use,” she said.

All schools are currently participating in site visits with Environmental Resources Management (ERM). These typically include a three-hour walk through with students and faculty, where students learn about projects to save energy and have an opportunity to operate an infrared camera, thermal anemometer, light meter and infrared thermometer.

“The time for action is now, and these students are helping lead the way,” said Will Steger, famed Arctic explorer, whose Will Steger Foundation is a project partner. “Our climate problems are urgent, and we need everyone to be engaged in solutions.”

In the fall of 2009, the 100 participating schools will be competing for 10, $20,000 grants for the most innovative projects to lower their carbon emissions, save energy and/or produce clean energy.

Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon is a joint program of the Clean Energy Resource Teams, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Minnesota Office of Energy Security. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.