NB school honored for being ‘green’

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) – A non-profit organization dedicated to environmental awareness has honored a New Bedford elementary school for its commitment to “green” design, construction and education.

The “Green Schools Organization” awarded five Massachusetts schools for their environmentally friendly learning environments, including New Bedford’s Abraham Lincoln Elementary. The organization highlighted the school’s sustainable construction design in bestowing the honor. 

The 93,833 square-foot elementary school was transformed into a cutting-edge “green” space through the cooperation of The City of New Bedford, Deadulus Projects Inc., and MVG Architects, according to the office of the Mayor.

Among the touted design features include alternative energy sources for electricity production, a synthetic play field that eliminates portable water irrigation, and high efficiency HVAC filters that protect student and staff health.

The city has continued to implement innovative changes in several other school buildings in New Bedford, according to city officials.

With close to one hundred buildings, including almost thirty schools, the city recognizes the importance of sustainability – Mayor Mitchell’s fiscal year 2013 city budget includes funding for an Office of Energy Efficiency. In his speech honoring Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Mayor Mitchell said, “It’s designed to be a school of the future.”

City officials say taxpayers also reap the benefits with more than $400,000 in savings as a result of these “green” developments, according to New Bedford’s Energy Director Scott Burke.

“Energy efficiency isn’t just about an ethic, it’s also about saving money,” Mayor Mitchell said. “That’s what we are trying to do as a city. We save money so we can put money into other uses that will make the school an even better place.”