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Included in the computer give-away are schools in Washoe, Carson, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Esmeralda, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Elko, Humboldt and Lander counties. Arrangements are being made to provide computers to schools in Sierra Pacific's northeastern California service area.
The 50 computers, including color monitors, disk drives, keyboards, "mice," printers and pre-loaded software, were cleaned and refurbished prior to their donation. They are compatible with the newer generation of hardware and software, and will offer students a learning experience that will be relevant to the workplace.
The Microsoft Licensing firm, now leasing space in the Sierra Pacific headquarters building, donated free software to the project.
The computer donation was coordinated through Partners in Education, a group that acts as liaison between the schools and the private sector.
Innovative Approach to Energy Conservation
At a time when reducing operating costs is more important than ever, Sierra Pacific and the Washoe County School District have entered into a first-ever, joint pilot program to learn how area schools use energy and how energy can be conserved.
The pilot involves 12 Washoe County schools for one year. After its completion, a report will be issued recommending cost effective energy conservation measures that will reduce the district's operating costs.
In the project, the schools will be retrofitted with special metering equipment that will give the schools and Sierra Pacific a direct link to the schools' energy consumption data.
Sierra Pacific will develop the necessary software and work with the school district to establish energy consumption data for each school, then assist the district in establishing operating procedures and customer solutions to reduce electricity, gas and/or water consumption.
This is the first use of a minute-by-minute energy use information exchange between Sierra Pacific and one of its large customers. In addition to reducing costs, the project will educate students, administrative personnel and the schools' maintenance staffs on how to use and conserve energy.
Silver Star Award
In October, Sierra Pacific received a Silver Star award for its contributions to quality of life in northern Nevada at the first "Accentuate the Positive" luncheon sponsored by the Truckee Meadows Tomorrow organization. The award recognized the major donation by the Sierra Pacific Foundation to the University of Nevada, Reno, and three northern Nevada community colleges. Sierra Pacific was a sponsor of the event.
