Dorchester area school districts are receiving almost $490,000 in federal energy stimulus funds from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s South Carolina Energy Office to make energy efficiency improvements in their buildings.

Dorchester County School District 2 will receive $391,060 to make upgrades to lighting fixtures and heating and air conditioning systems at Dubose Middle School. These improvements will help District 2 reduce its energy bill by more than $49,000 annually.

Dorchester County School District 4 will receive $97,784 to install highly efficient lighting fixtures at St. George Middle School, saving the district more than $30,000 annually.

“These grants will help Dorchester County school districts make improvements to their facilities and save taxpayers almost $80,000 per year in utility costs,” said John Clark, director of the South Carolina Energy Office.

The state’s 85 school districts are sharing $20.3 million in grants and loans for energy efficiency.  The state’s public colleges and universities are receiving a total of $12.2 million, and state agencies are getting $7.4 million for energy efficiency improvements.