Information

REAP
Tina Cook
EFP - Planning
TUSD
2025 E. Winsett St.
Tucson, AZ
85719
Phone: (520) 225-4673
Fax: (520) 225-4939
EMAIL US

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Resource Efficiency Awareness Program

About REAP

What is REAP?
REAP is an important, low-cost program to reduce TUSD's utility expenditures by encouraging conservation by each staff member at each site. It was first adopted by the TUSD Governing Board in 1991. Since then, it has saved the District $6.3 million in utility costs.

Did you know that primary and secondary schools spend approximately $6 billion on energy annually? Here is how you can pitch in to help the District, your school, the community and the environment:

  • Reduce unnecessary use of energy and water. You can help by turning off unneeded lights, making sure doors and windows are shut, and reporting any water leaks immediately.
  • Start an Energy Patrol at your school. Several TUSD schools participate in Tucson Electric Power Company's Energy Patrol program. Your school's Energy Patrol can be a student council, an after-school club, or some other special group of about 10-20 students who work with an advisor to learn about saving energy, and then patrol the school to implement what they've learned. The Energy Patrol checks classrooms, office areas, portables and storerooms at recess, lunch and after school to turn off unneeded lights, see that thermostats remain at appropriate temperatures, notice that windows and doors are positioned for maximum efficiency and report dripping faucets and other water leaks.
  • Turn your school's conservation efforts into money for the school. There is a total of more than $50,000 per year that will be awarded to schools achieving a 5% per year reduction in utility costs.
  • Apply for the award by following the information in the Resource Efficiency Awareness Program regulation (available in Word | PDF).
  • Encourage Commingled Recycling. TUSD is reducing solid waste produced by schools and sites by encouraging commingled recycling. Commingled recycling allows recycled materials such as paper, corrugated cardboard, and milk cartons to be intermixed in the recycling containers. Sites can request blue bin-recycling containers for use in offices and classrooms to maintain or increase their participation in the recycling program.

In addition to REAP, the District also has a new Energy Conservation Policy. Per this policy, TUSD will be increasing the number of solar sites by installing photovoltaic systems at two sites per year over the next five years. These systems can be integrated into curricula and used as a learning tool for the whole TUSD community. For additional information, please contact Tina Cook at 225-4673 or tina.cook@tusd1.org.

Mission Statement
Everyone in TUSD can manage energy, water, and waste more wisely to improve both student and school facility performance. We all benefit by practicing better environmental and economic stewardship.

List of Partnerships

Partnerships
REAP is successful because of the partnerships between TUSD and local and state agencies and corporations. For more information about our partners, see the List of Partners.

History and Program Overview
The Resource Efficiency Awareness Program was adopted by the TUSD Governing Board in 1991 in recognition of the District's responsibility to conserve natural resources as an integral part of the basic mission of providing quality education.

The five-year goals (2008-2013) for REAP include:

  1. Conserve by reducing energy, water, and non-recycled waste per square foot by 5% per year each for next five years.
    1. Conservation tips will be distributed to educate students and staff in August and April of each year.
    2. Monthly usage and cost will be posted on website showing data for schools and support site.
  2. TUSD will award a monetary incentive award to schools achieving a 5% per year reduction in yearly Avoided Utility Usage per square foot savings for the next five years. See Calculating Energy Conservation Rebate Program below for details.
  3. TUSD will implement Energy Patrols at 10 schools per year for the next five years to help reduce energy and water consumption. All established Energy Patrols will be monitored by survey to determine their effectiveness and the need for additional assistance/training.
  4. TUSD will increase the number of solar sites by installing photovoltaic systems at two sites per year over the next five years. A representative from the utility company will visit each new site to educate students and to discuss the installation and how it affects the school.

For more information, see the following documents: