FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2014) – Seven Oldham County schools were recognized by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Kentucky School Boards Association for earning the prestigious ENERGY STAR, 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 Aug. 25 meeting of the Oldham County Board of Education. Schools recognized include Centerfield Elementary, Goshen Elementary, Camden Station Elementary, North Oldham Middle, North Oldham High, Oldham County High School and South Oldham High School. The district’s most recent renovation project at Centerfield Elementary has netted an almost 50 percent reduction in energy usage. Oldham County Superintendent Dr. Will Wells reports the district currently has a total of 11 ENERGY STAR-labeled schools. “All of the district’s schools have earned this recognition because of a terrific team effort that includes our board of education, staff and students,” said Wells. “Under the leadership of our Facilities Director Jim Ewalt and energy manager Nancy Wenz, the Oldham County School District is among the top 10, most energy efficient districts in the state. The more we reduce our energy costs, the more financial resources are available for our teachers and students.” Oldham County School District has four schools to earn ENERGY STAR scores of 95 or higher, which means the buildings’ energy efficiency is in the top 9 percent of similar schools nationwide. These schools and their ENERGY STAR scores include: Centerfield Elementary (95); Harmony Elementary (96); Locust Grove (99) and, with a perfect score of 100,Crestwood Elementary. ENERGY STAR facilities typically use about 35 percent less energy than average buildings. To earn the ENERGY STAR, a building must receive at least 75 out of 100 points in the EPA’s national energy-performance rating system – with higher scores being better — which places these facilities among the top 25 percent of all comparable buildings. Buildings are rated based on how they compare to similar buildings across the country. A building must operate for at least one year and submit a year’s worth of energy-use data to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be considered for the ENERGY STAR. For more information on ENERGY STAR programs, see www.energystar.gov
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