Volts of learning

As the Evangeline Parish community gathered at the Ville Platte Civic Center for the second annual Evangeline Parish School Board Parent Day, Cleco was on hand to present the district with a donation for lighting upgrades. The donation was in the amount of $85,000.00 as part of the Cleco Power Wise energy efficiency program.
“By partnering with Cleco and taking advantage of the incentives available through its Power Wise program, we have been able to upgrade the lighting at most of our parish schools, as well as our main office and warehouse building,” said Darwan Lazard, superintendent of Evangeline Parish Schools. “All of these benefits will save the parish energy and money.”
Superintendant Lazard added, “Cleco is a valued educational partner of the Evangeline Parish School District. As a result of the LED efficiency lighting upgrades that have been made in nearly every classroom on every campus, these funds will be used to support instruction and provide materials and equipment throughout the parish.”
“We are excited to have the Evangeline Parish School Board partner with Cleco to provide their students, faculty and support staff with better, brighter and more efficient lighting,” said Hammad Chaudhry, Cleco’s energy efficiency program manager. “LEDs use less electricity, require less maintenance and last two times longer.”
According to a press release from Cleco, “The school board upgraded the lighting at its main office, warehouse building and nine parish schools to LED lighting. With the new LED lighting, the school board is projected to save 1,885,043 kWh annually, which is enough electricity to power 157 homes for one year based on an average use of 12,000 kWh a year (1,000 kWh per month).”
Cleco customers who are interested in learning about energy efficiency options through the program and other financial incentives can call 1-833-373-6842 or visit https://www.cleco.com/energyefficiency.
For more coverage of last Friday’s Parent Day, including pictures of the big winners, turn to Page 6A in today’s edition of the Ville Platte Gazette.