Building & Design
EPA challenges US schools to improve energy efficiency
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a challenge to school administrators and building managers to improve energy efficiency.
The ‘Energy Star Challenge’ is calling on US school authorities to pledge to fight climate change by reducing energy usage through improved efficiency.
“Taking the Energy Star Challenge will help participating districts cut down on their electricity bills,” says EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
US primary and secondary schools spend nearly $8 billion a year on energy – more than is spent on textbooks and computers.
The Energy Star Challenge will provide energy tracking tools, technical advice, case studies and other Energy Star resources to help schools improve efficiency and reduce energy use.
Schools that radically improve their energy efficiency can earn the EPA’s superior Energy Star label. Gresham-Barlow School District in Oregon, for example, slashed energy use by 48%, saving more than $1.3 million in utility costs in just one year.
For further information:
www.epa.gov/
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=challenge.bus_challenge