The student news site of Oakton High School

Oakton Outlook

The student news site of Oakton High School

Oakton Outlook

The student news site of Oakton High School

Oakton Outlook

It’s Always Sunny in Fairfax County Pt 2

SEA+Club+Members+prepare+to+speak
SEA Club Members prepare to speak

Casey Grage, senior at James Madison High School, and the rest of the JMHS Students for Environmental Action Club (SEA Club) took the school board meeting by sunny storm. The School Board meeting at Luther Jackson Middle School on Thursday, January 21st was addressing a new cooling system at Irving Middle School, Which the SEA club used as an opportunity to comment on the county’s energy use.

First Grage took the stage, giving a powerful and informative speech about the process of a Power Purchase Agreement and how it would effectively save the school system money (See Its Always Sunny in Fairfax County for details).

Then, Sam Ressin, senior at James Madison, spoke about how installing solar panels would directly benefit the schools through education opportunities for students.

Finally, Joyce Cheng, also a senior at Madison, talked about the reason the club is most excited about solar energy: the environmental benefits.

The presentation was well received by audience and school board members alike. Chairman of the Board Pat Hynes called the advocacy shown by the SEA club “compelling”. While school board member, Ryan McElveen commended the presentation for being “smart and passionate”, and new School Board member Dalia Palchik, echoed these statements.

So what’s in store for solar energy in Fairfax County?

Hynes told Grage, “We await the results of a solar feasibility study currently under way. Energy efficiency is a high priority for the school board and FCPS leadership. I think that means we must be seriously considering alternatives to fossil fuels. Our challenge, of course, is funding so we must look for options that recognize our other critical facilities needs.”

McElveen gave a similar statement saying, “FCPS has had multiple interest groups approach us to adopt their plan for energy sustainability with varying claims about cost, and the Sierra Club’s plan is only one such option. ”

So whether FCPS goes with the plan presented by the SEA Club, or another offer, thanks to the efforts of groups such as the JMHS SEA club, environmental sustainability for Fairfax County Schools is on its way.

More to Discover
Activate Search
It’s Always Sunny in Fairfax County Pt 2