(03/29/2016 -ATLANTA) - The E.P.A. (EPA) and the D.O.E. (DOE) is honoring Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) and Bullitt Co. Public Schools (BCPS) for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. The 2 are among 149 businesses and organizations in 35 states to gain the honor. Recipients of the 2016 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award include Beazer Homes, The Home Depot and Verizon.
"This year's Partner of the Year Award winners prove every day that saving money and protecting the environment go hand in hand," said E.P.A. Administrator Gina McCarthy. "From major household brands to school districts, these leaders deserve to be congratulated for their commitment to reducing carbon pollution and protecting our climate."
"Energy Star Partner of the Year Award winners help families, individuals, and businesses become more energy efficient," said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. "By offering energy-efficient products, services, and programs, this year's awardees continue to provide Americans with lower utility bills, new jobs, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions."
Since its inception in 1992, Energy Star and its partners, including the 149 Partners of the Year awardees, have helped prevent a total of in excess of 2.4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2014 alone, Energy Star and its partners provided in excess of $11 billion in societal benefits due to reducing damages from climate change.
The Kentucky School Boards Association recruited 72 schools districts to commit to using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® to track and manage energy performance. In 2015, the districts achieved in excess of $48 million in avoided energy costs, and reducing electricity usage across the state by in excess of 339 million kilowatt hours since 2010.
Bullitt Co. Public Schools (BCPS) is receiving ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year recognition for building a sustainable energy plan with ENERGY STAR and creating an optimal learning environment for students. The school system serves in excess of 13,000 students and owns in excess of two million square feet of building space. Over the past 9 years, BCPS has made significant efforts to enhance energy efficiency across the district. In excess of $810,000 was saved in 2015 due to the practices put in place by BCPS. The nine-year plan cumulative savings total In excess of $3.9 million in saved utility costs. BCPS achieved these savings by implementing energy efficiency plans in district buildings, demanding reduction plans through the building automation system, and 2 window film plans that cut heat load and energy use at those sites.
Read more about each award winner's achievements: www.energystar.gov/awardwinners
Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence: The 93 Sustained Excellence winners continue to demonstrate remarkable leadership each year in the Energy Star plan while remaining committed to environmental protection through superior energy efficiency.
Partner of the Year: Forty-seven organizations have been awarded the Partner of the Year award for strategically and comprehensively managing their energy use. These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, while providing energy-efficient products and services to their customers.
Contractor of the Year: 6 of the winners are winning at least in part for their superior efforts in promoting the Home Performance with Energy Star program, which is administered by the D.O.E. with support from EPA.
Climate Communicator: The 6 Climate Communicator winners, all of whom are also Sustained Excellence awardees, have raised their customers' awareness of the impacts of climate change. Through their efforts, these partners illustrate how energy-efficient behaviors have a positive impact on the environment while encouraging customers to save energy and protect the climate.
Excellence: 3 winners are receiving recognition for demonstrating outstanding promotion of energy-efficient products, homes, or buildings.
Energy Star has 16,000 partners working to protect the environment through greater energy efficiency, including manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies and home builders.
Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For In excess of 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA's Energy Star plan for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely acknowledged symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $362 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more 2.4 billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.
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