MAYSVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 11, 2015) – The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet has announced that Straub Elementary School in Mason County has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies the school building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.
Officials from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet presented a certificate signed by Gov. Steve Beshear during the Aug. 10 meeting of the Mason County Board of Education.
“The students and staff at Straub have done a great job conserving energy,” said Mason County School Superintendent Rick Ross. “We are extremely proud of their team effort to promote energy efficiency. As students learn to be more conscientious stewards of our resources and form life-long habits, our efforts pay off both now and in the future.”
Mason County Schools’ energy manager Terry Anderson and facilities director Kermit Belcher report Straub Elementary School used 24 percent less electricity during the past school year, compared to its baseline, saving the district an estimated $17,334 annually. The 32-year-old building was recently renovated with energy efficient lighting and occupancy sensors to turn lights off when rooms are unoccupied. Teacher and student participation also contributed to the school earning ENERGY STAR certification.
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. 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.
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
