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John Baird Environmental Sustainability Fund ~ Sustainability Mission Statement

Westtown’s Energy Harvest Solar Panel Project

 This is an updated version of the grant receipt announcement sent by Teacher John Baird on November 21, 2007. A pdf version of the successful grant proposal is located below. If you have any questions about the solar panel project, please contact Megan Sayer, Director of Major Gifts, at 610-399-7911 or megan.sayer@westtown.edu.  

I am pleased to announce that Westtown is the grateful recipient of a grant for $145,000 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as part of its Energy Harvest program. The grant has been matched with another $145,000 in matching pledges from a group of anonymous Westtown donors. The grant will be used to install a 34.65 kilowatt photovoltaic array (solar panels) on the roof of the new AthleticCenter and to create and several educational displays. A display in the Athletic Center lobby will monitor and display in real time the energy being generated and its monetary savings to the school, and two outdoor displays will educate viewers about the solar panels and existing sustainable campus features (including the geothermal heating a cooling across the circle in the Stone House dormitory). The solar panel installation is expected to generate 41,580 kilowatt hours of electricity with corresponding reductions in air emissions.

In his announcement on November 29, 2007 of support for 28 innovative projects throughout the state, Governor Rendell said, "Rather than continuing to rely on oil supplies that may come from politically unstable or hostile nations, or electricity derived from dirtier fossil fuels, we are investing in our future by supporting the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies that will strengthen our economy, create new jobs, and protect our environment. These projects illustrate the interest and commitment that companies, universities and other organizations have expressed in investing in Pennsylvania's new energy economy and creating opportunities here."

As the only institution in ChesterCounty to receive an Energy Harvest grant this year, Westtown builds on a long tradition of stewardship and conservation and a growing commitment to environmental sustainability. I want to thank Middle School teacher (and co-clerk of the Environmental Sustainability Project Team) Judy Asselin ’71 and Director of Annual Giving David Eldridge for their hard work on the proposal that led to this funding, as well as to the matching donors who share the school's enthusiasm for going green.

This is very exciting news for Westtown and, I am filled with appreciation and hope for a greener future for us all. A first grader, Alex Mortazavi, said it so well in a blessing of thanks he recently wrote:

“I thank you God for love and care.

Thank you for family and friends.

Thank you God for water and the earth and trees.

Amen”

John  Baird (November 21, 2007)