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Spirit Lake, Iowa, Community School District Recognized Among Top Ranking Partners in EPA’s Green Power Partnership

Release Date: 06/05/2012
Contact Information: Chelsey Derks, (913) 551-7240, derks.chelsey@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., June 6, 2012) – EPA has recognized the Spirit Lake, Iowa, Community School District as number 14 among all K-12 school partners in the Green Power Partnership (GPP) for its on-site generation of green power.

EPA’s Green Power Partnership works with a variety of organizations, including Fortune 500® companies, agencies at all levels of government, and a growing number of colleges, universities, and schools, to promote the use of green power. EPA defines green power as electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources.

The GPP’s quarterly Top Partner Rankings highlight organizations’ use of green power across various industry sectors. The Spirit Lake Community School District was cited among the nation’s Top 20 K-12 Schools in the latest quarterly rankings for its use of over 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of green power, equal to 46% of the school district’s total electricity use.

Serving approximately 1,300 students, the Spirit Lake Community School District generates a majority of its power from on-site wind turbines. School officials regard the use of on-site wind power as an environmental and economic advantage for the district. In addition, the district’s high school facility converted to a geothermal heating and cooling system, which, along with the district's two on-site wind turbines, are used as tools for education.

Using green power helps reduce the environmental impacts of electricity use and supports the development of new renewable generation capacity nationwide.