The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) and the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) today announced a milestone that has been reached in the designation of school facilities in Kentucky. Southside Elementary in Shelbyville has become the 300th school building to earn the much-coveted ENERGY STAR designation. Kentucky ranks second nationally in the percentage of ENERGY STAR labeled schools.
“Shelby County Schools are committed to efficient utilization of our funding resources, and implementing energy management strategies demonstrates the depth of commitment to this goal,” said Dr. James Neihof, superintendent of the Shelby County School District. “Our board of education focuses on best energy efficiency practices whether constructing new facilities or renovating existing buildings, while an energy manager implements daily energy efficiency measures. All this, along with the district’s partnerships with various stakeholders, has led to nearly $2.2 million in cumulative savings since fiscal year 2010. Today’s announcement that Southside Elementary is now an ENERGY STAR Labeled school affirms this work.”
According to CMTA Consulting Engineers, who verified school energy performance and submitted to ENERGY STAR, Southside Elementary’s energy use intensity (EUI) is 26.4 The EUI shows the energy use per square foot, with a lower number representing a better score. Districtwide the average EUI has dropped from 71.6 in 2010 to 44.6 in 2015. The statewide average EUI index is 57.6, down from 65.4 in 2010. The corresponding cumulative avoided costs to date achieved through energy savings activities is more than $68 million statewide since 2010, according to KSBA.
“Being able to recognize the 300th ENERGY STAR school at this time is especially meaningful,” said EEC Secretary Len Peters. “Today marks an important achievement for the Beshear Administration, which has emphasized during the past eight years the monetary and environmental benefits of energy efficiency. Governor Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear have championed energy efficiency from day one, and the results are clearly outstanding. I would also like to recognize and thank the Kentucky School Boards Association for their strong leadership in advocating for improved energy efficiency in our schools.”
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. Southside Elementary School earned an ENERGY STAR score of 98, which is considered to be a “highly rated” ENERGY STAR rating in Kentucky.
Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and are responsible for 35 percent less carbon dioxide being released 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
