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EPA names Minnesota and Wisconsin school districts National Energy Star Leaders

Release Date: 12/18/2007
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov Phillippa Cannon, 312-353-6218, cannon.phillippa@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA239

(Chicago, Ill. - Dec. 18, 2007) - Eight Minnesota school districts and one Wisconsin school district are among 16 organizations nationwide to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Leader designation for their work in saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases.

The nine school districts, all located in EPA Region 5, reduced their annual carbon dioxide emissions from 129 buildings by 22.28 million pounds. This is equivalent to taking 1,805 cars and light trucks off the road and is the annual energy use of 216 homes. Region 5 has more Energy Star Leaders than any EPA Region.

"We congratulate these school districts for their leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy and cutting costs," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary A. Gade. "More school districts have received recognition as Energy Star Leaders than any other organization type. They set an example for all of us to follow."

The Energy Star Leaders in Minnesota are:

• Austin Public Schools
• Cambridge-Isanti Public Schools
• Columbia Heights Public Schools
• Eden Prairie Schools
• North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District
• St. Paul Public Schools
• Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School
• Mahtomedi Public Schools

The Energy Star Leader in Wisconsin is:

• West Allis-West Milwaukee School District

School districts serving children in kindergarten through twelfth grade dominate EPA's annual list of Energy Star Leaders, the Agency's highest award for energy savings. Nearly half of this year's recipients are being recognized for the second time for continued improvement.

This year's Leaders have, on average, reduced energy use by about 15 percent and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 28 million pounds of carbon dioxide, equal to the emissions from more than 1,600 homes.

To date, more than 50 organizations including schools, hospitals and supermarkets as well as commercial real estate and hospitality companies have been named Energy Star Leaders. Combined greenhouse gas emission reductions are equal to the emissions from more than 31,000 homes.

Energy Star Partners that own two or more facilities can be recognized as Leaders by achieving a portfolio-wide reduction of energy consumption of 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent or more.

EPA introduced the Energy Star program in 1992 as a voluntary partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, the program offers business, government, non-profit organizations and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and to help protect the environment for future generations. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved about $14 billion on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 25 million vehicles. More information about Energy Star Leaders is at http://www.energystar.gov.