PARIS – Former Vice President Al Gore may have received an Academy Award this week for his efforts to reduce the effects of global warming, but SAD 17 officials can show off a $100,000 check for their own efforts.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission recognized school officials for their energy efficiency upgrades that will save nearly $133,000 in electricity costs districtwide.

“This is the favorite part of my job to come to an event like this. It’s the most exciting thing we do,” said Public Utilities Commissioner Kurt Adams, who along with Efficiency Maine Program Director David Kyle presented school officials with a check for $100,000 during an open house at the newly-opened Paris Elementary School.

“It goes back to the school and the taxpayers’ pocket,” said Adams of the $100,000 – the first of two checks that will be received by SAD 17 officials. A second check for about $69,000 will also be delivered to school officials in the future.

The money represents a cash incentive from Efficiency Maine for certain equipment purchases that will help defray project costs and help SAD 17 reduce the payback period.

Many of the designs, such as light sensors and tinted glass, were put into the new school with the help of architect Rick Malm of Lewis & Malm Architects of Bucksport and Efficiency Maine representatives who worked together to make the most energy efficient school possible. For that effort, the state has designated the Paris Elementary School as one of the few “high performance” schools opening in Maine this year.

In total, the district completed eight lighting projects with the assistance of PUC’s Efficiency Maine Program. The $100,000 check reflects the energy efficient programs put into place at the Paris Elementary School on High Street.

Officials said the upgrades will benefit the environment by keeping 629 tons of carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming, out of the atmosphere, which is the equivalent of taking 109 cars off the road.

“Now that’s what I can relate to,” said Superintendent Mark Eastman of the analogy.

Efficiency Maine works with the state Department of Education, the Maine Bureau of General Services, the Maine School Management Association, the United States Department of Energy and participating school districts to encourage energy efficient designs and the installation of energy-efficient equipment in new schools.

The program includes design and implementation assistance and an educational component to participating schools.

Officials say the benefits of the program are to reduce energy consumption in schools and lower operation and maintenance costs, and to increase productivity and student attendance caused by better building designs that improve the learning environment.

In a statement released before Tuesday night’s presentation, Eastman said, “As school administrators, it’s our responsibility to do all we can to make the most of tax dollars. Working with the energy experts at Efficiency Maine allowed us to take full advantage of certain program benefits. We can also feel good about doing our part to be environmentally responsible.”