The Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence has authorized use of unobligated federal stimulus funds to keep the state’s 36 school energy managers on the job through June 30, 2012.

The state agency recently informed the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) that the School Energy Manager Project (SEMP) may access American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to keep energy managers on the job next May and June. Originally, funds for those positions were approved only through April 30.

Additionally, the KSBA SEMP program will provide special training for qualifying energy managers to assist them in earning certified energy manager (CEM) and/or energy manager in training (EMIT) status. SEMP will cover the cost of five days of training, lodging, lunch daily and the certification test. Home districts or regional educational cooperatives for the energy managers will be responsible to cover travel and other meal expenses. The training will be provided at two or three locations this summer. More details will be coming soon.

Kentucky’s SEMP energy managers have identified nearly $2.4 million in annual savings and/or avoided costs for 131 school districts in just nine months on the job.