EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - A $1.36 million energy project is now underway for the East Palestine City School District following the receipt of a grant from the Ohio Department of Development's Advanced Energy Fund (AEF).

The $1.36 million grant is part of nearly $8.5 million in AEF grants awarded in the Department of Development's latest round of state funding aimed at helping Ohio schools, non-profits and municipalities reduce energy usage and lower utility costs.

This project, which spans across the elementary, middle and high school buildings, as well as the Board of Education office, includes several energy upgrades for the district including a complete LED lighting retrofit and a modernized Building Automation System (BAS) across the district's facilities.

According to a press release, these improvements are projected to cut energy use by more than 7,000 MMBtus per year and save the district over $111,000 per year in utility costs.

Gardiner, an Ohio-based technology company and preferred Ohio Schools Council partner worked with the district on the grant application and is managing the project.

"Time is critical for our students and our schools. We weren't going to let this opportunity sit on a shelf. With Gardiner's help, we were ready to act and within days of the award, we were already moving forward," said Superintendent James Rook.