FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 9, 2015) – Governor Steve Beshear today announced four Kentucky organizations received the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year awards for 2015. Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America Inc., Kenton County Schools, Scott County Schools and the Kentucky School Boards Association earned this distinction for outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by delivering information and services to Kentuckians to increase energy efficiency. ―It is exciting that Kentucky is receiving national attention for our efforts to proactively lead the nation on energy reduction and savings,‖ said Gov. Beshear. ―I am extremely proud of the contributions made by Kentuckians to create efficient, sustainable energy solutions while protecting the environment. Earning ENERGY STAR recognition is no easy task. This distinction signifies a deep commitment to energy efficiency and conservation, and a passion for doing what’s right for the Commonwealth.‖ ENERGY STAR awards acknowledge leading companies and organizations for superior energy efficiency achievements. Partner of the Year award winners are selected from the 16,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. Kentucky is among 33 states representing 128 recognized partners nationwide. Kenton County Schools and Toyota are recipients of the EPA’s highest Sustained Excellence Award for Continued, Exceptional Leadership in the ENERGY STAR program and superior energy efficiency. ―Through continuous improvement, good collaboration and sharing best practices, we continue to stay highly motivated to identify ways to minimize our impact to the environment,‖ said Robin Haugen, general manager of Toyota’s Georgetown plant and environmental engineering group. ―Our team members demonstrate that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen, and we are grateful to receive our 11th consecutive ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.‖ As a result of two previous ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year awards, Kenton schools achieved the Sustained Excellence Award. ―We truly value our partnership with ENERGY STAR,‖ said Kenton County Superintendent Terri Cox-Cruey. ―Each year it’s exciting to see the impact we’ve made. We remain committed to continuing our work to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.‖ The Kentucky School Boards Association earned the 2015 Partner of the Year award for Energy Efficiency Program Delivery of the School Energy Managers Project (SEMP). This is the second year KSBA has been recognized for its assistance to Kentucky public school districts in reducing energy costs and increasing energy efficiency in district buildings. ―We are proud to offer energy management support services through SEMP,‖ said Mike Armstrong, KSBA’s executive director. ―In my former role as a school superintendent, I experienced the direct benefit from SEMP in developing and implementing a well-rounded energy management plan, and utilizing ENERGY STAR tools. This program has allowed many Kentucky school districts to save significant dollars that can then be channeled to the classroom.‖ Scott County Public Schools is also a second-year recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its effective use of ENERGY STAR tools and resources in its energy management plan. ―We are very excited about receiving this award,‖ said Patricia Putty, superintendent, Scott County Schools.‖It is a confirmation of all the good work of the 9,000 students and over 1,100 staff members have been doing to save energy in our schools. This is probably the most important award that our school district could receive.‖ ENERGY STAR has been a key element of Gov. Beshear’s comprehensive energy plan, ―Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future,‖ by creating efficient, sustainable energy solutions and strategies. The Commonwealth has led by example through ENERGY STAR by focusing on saving energy in state buildings and facilities, and engaging businesses, schools, agriculture, industry, local communities and citizens to embrace energy efficiency in their daily lives. Kentucky state government promotes ENERGY STAR qualified products and services through comprehensive outreach, education and marketing programs with a variety of partners. In 2014 alone, the nation’s ENERGY STAR partners, including the current 128 Partners of the Year awardees, prevented more than 300 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere, and reduced utility bills for Americans by $34 billion. The full list of winners and their achievements can be found online at: www.energystar.gov/awardwinners. More information about the Governor’s energy plan and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s activities visit http://energy.ky.gov. Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Energy Management Kenton County School District | Fort Wright, Kentucky KCSD is receiving ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence recognition for its significant commitment to building and operating energy efficient schools and for using ENERGY STAR tools and resources as a central component of its energy program. The district built a near net zero school, which costs less to build than the national median at $200 per square foot. This year more than $1.4 million in avoided energy costs were realized and more than $6.8 million since 2005 by incorporating ENERGY STAR best practices into the district’s behavioral management program. One more school has received ENERGY STAR certification, bringing the total number of ENERGY STAR certified schools to 12 out of 17 schools in the district. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Erlanger, Kentucky Toyota is receiving ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence recognition for its continued efforts and industry leadership in industrial energy management. The company improved energy intensity by 1 percent per vehicle and water consumption by 10 percent per vehicle compared to the previous year. Total energy savings since 2002 are valued at $580 million. In addition, Toyota has been actively developing a Supply Side Management Strategy with a goal of leveling utility costs for the next seven years. Partner of the Year – Energy Efficiency Program Delivery Kentucky School Boards Association | Frankfort, Kentucky KSBA is receiving ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year recognition for its commitment to intelligent energy choices for new and existing public schools, in order to enhance both the environment and educational opportunities for the Commonwealth’s 645,000 public school students. It is achieving more than $48 million in avoided energy costs, and reducing electricity usage across the state by more than 339 million kilowatt hours since 2010. The Frankfort-based organization is assisting Kentucky school districts in formulating and implementing energy management plans using the seven-step ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management. Those efforts have contributed to an increase in the number of ENERGY STAR certified schools in Kentucky – from 12 to more than 265 since 2008 – by helping fund and facilitate the inclusion of ENERGY STAR resources and tools in schools’ energy manager training. Partner of the Year – Energy Management Scott County Schools | Georgetown, Kentucky Scott County Public Schools is receiving ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year recognition for its effective use of ENERGY STAR tools and resources in it energy management plan. All of the school buildings in the district earned ENERGY STAR® certification. The school system reduced energy use by more than 17 percent compared to its 2010 baseline, and thereby, improving its average, portfolio-wide 1–100 ENERGY STAR score from 71 to 88 compared to its 2010 baseline.
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