CHANGE FORTHE BETTER WITH ENERGY STAR Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR1 prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. www.energystar.gov ENERGY STAR and K-12 Schools Energy efficiency is vital to schools in the United States. The nation's 17,450 K-12 school districts spend more than $5 billion annually on energy. In addition to helping school districts save up to 30 percent on their energy bills each year, energy efficiency prevents greenhouse gas emissions and improves the students' learning environment. EPA, through its ENERGY STAR partnership program, provides schools with guidelines for superior energy management built on the practices of leading organizations. Currently, school districts across the country have rated the energy performance of more than 9,000 school buildings using EPA's 1-100 point Energy Performance Rating System, representing about 14 percent of the schools market. More than 470 schools have earned the ENERGY STAR by achieving a rating of 75 or higher. Buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR use about 40 percent less energy than average buildings and are as energy efficient as similar buildings in the nation's top quartile. Currently, more than 200 school districts partner with ENERGY STAR; they account for more than 800 million square feet of school building space. ENERGY STAR partnerships represent a commitment by high-level school officials to improve the energy efficiency of their districts and to educate students, teachers, and the community about the resulting environmental and financial benefits. EPA, through ENERGY STAR, provides tools, resources, and technical support to help partner districts achieve their energy goals. Launched in March, 2005, EPA has joined with more than 40 leading associations and states to bring the ENERGY STAR Challenge to the owners of commercial and institutional buildings across the country. The ENERGY STAR Challenge encourages building owners to improve the efficiency of their buildings by 10 percent or more and to capitalize on the environmental benefits and cost savings that will result. The following associations are working together with EPA to improve the energy efficiency and indoor environments of our nation's K-12 schools through this Challenge: Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) - Green Schools Program, American Solar Energy Society (ASES) - Legacy Schools Program, Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International, Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI), Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, National Energy Foundation (NEF), National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), National School Boards Association (NSBA). These leading organizations will encourage school decision-makers to assess how much energy school districts use now, establish efficiency improvement goals of 10 percent or greater district- wide, and make efficiency improvements wherever cost effective. EPA will recognize individual school districts that achieve a 10, 20, or 30 percent improvement as ENERGY STAR Leaders. United States Environmental Protection Agency ------- K-12 ENERGY STAR Leaders as of September 27, 2005 Colorado Springs School District 11, Colorado Springs, Colorado Rochester City School District, Rochester, New York South Colonie Central School District, Albany, New York Independent School District 197, Mendota Heights, Minnesota Gresham-Barlow School District, Gresham, Oregon York County School Division, Yorktown, Virginia QUOTES SUPPORTING THE ENERGY STAR CHALLENGE "School boards show both educational and environmental leadership when they measure the amount of energy used in their districts and make efforts to improve their buildings' energy efficiency. Because of this, the NSBA is glad to promote the ENERGY STAR Challenge to its member school boards and provide them with information about better energy management practices." Joseph Villani, Deputy Executive Director, National School Boards Association "The Council is very excited to work with the ENERGY STAR program to the betterment of our schools. To that end, CEFPI has engaged in an awareness campaign to introduce its members to this federal program as it relates to K-12 educational facilities. CEFPI's members are building more schools than any organization and we are all concerned that we do it right." Thomas A. Kube, Executive Director, The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) "On behalf of the Council of the Great City Schools, we are delighted to join ENERGY STAR in recognizing the energy performance improvements of our members. The 10% percent Challenge launched by EPA in March encourages districts to save energy and money." Bob Carlson, Director of Management Services, Council of the Great City Schools "Our energy conservation program and our commitment to renewable energy sources make good sense both environmentally and financially. We are proud to be recognized as an environmentally conscious school district, and proud of the enthusiastic response of our students and staff in making that possible." Dr. Manuel J. Rivera, Superintendent, Rochester City School District K-12 ENERGY FACTS Energy costs represent a typical school district's second largest operating expense, after salaries more than the cost of computers and textbooks combined. In a typical school, one-third of the energy used goes to waste. This is largely due to old and poorly functioning equipment, poor insulation, and outdated technology, like that found in many lighting systems. Schools that are well lit, well ventilated, and in good repair create a healthy, comfortable learning and teaching environment. A better physical environment is among the many factors that contribute to increased learning and productivity in the classroom, which in turn affects performance and achievement. For more information, please contact Katy Hatcher - US EPA ENERGY STAR National Manager, Public Sector - at 202-343-9676 or hatcher.caterina@epa.gov. Visit www.eneravstar.gov ------- |