LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2014) – Twenty-eight schools in the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District were recognized by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC), the city of Louisville and the Kentucky School Boards Association for earning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR is a national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy performance. Certificates signed by Gov. Steve Beshear were presented to the schools’ principals during the Oct. 13 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Education. “On behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I congratulate the leaders, teachers and students of Jefferson County for your role in earning the ENERGY STAR label in your schools,” said EEC Secretary Len Peters. “Collectively, you have demonstrated your commitment to protecting the environment, the value of conserving natural resources and, as leaders in energy efficiency, you are setting examples of environmental stewardship for others to follow.” JCPS improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically and by making costeffective improvements to its buildings and incorporating energy efficiency into the design and operation of new school buildings. Some of these features include control systems that monitor and adjust building temperatures, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, classroom occupancy sensors and energy efficient lighting, roofing and windows. “As a proud ENERGY STAR partner, it is an honor and a privilege to have Secretary Len Peters here to recognize our district as a national leader in energy efficiency,” said Dr. Donna Hargens, superintendent of JCPS. “Our 28 ENERGY STAR schools clearly demonstrate our belief that innovative resource management and environmental sustainability play a vital role in our students’ educational experience. Saving money on energy enables JCPS to spend more money in the classroom.” “One example of consumption and cost savings is Kammerer Middle School,” said Kevin Stotlz, energy auditor for JCPS. “As a result of mechanical upgrades, Kammerer uses 44 percent less gas and electricity per month, saving the district more than $4,400 in energy costs monthly.” JCPS schools recognized for their energy efficiency include elementary schools Audubon; Bates; Blake; Blue Lick; Camp Taylor; Cane Run; Fairdale; Farmer; Fern Creek; Hartstern; Hawthorne; Isaac Shelby; Jeffersontown; Luhr; Rutherford; Shacklette; Slaughter; Smyrna; Stopher and Zachary Taylor. Middle schools include Conway; Kammerer; Myers; Newburg; Ramsey and TT Knight. Two high schools, Ballard and Iroquois, were recognized. Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. EPA’s ENERGY STAR energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA’s 1-100 scale may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Four JCPS schools earned an ENERGY STAR (ES) score of 90 or higher, which means they are in the top 10 percent of similar schools nationwide. Those JCPS schools and their ES scores are Camp Taylor Elementary (91 ES score); Shacklette Elementary (93 ES score); Slaughter Elementary (91 ES score) and Smyrna Elementary (93 ES score). For more information about ENERGY STAR certification for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/labeledbuildings. For more information about Kentucky’s energy efficiency program for schools: www.energy.ky.gov.
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