HARRISBURG, Pa., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today
said Pennsylvania is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's ENERGY STAR(R) program to significantly improve the energy efficiency
of school buildings, especially existing buildings and additions.
"Pennsylvania is a national leader in green buildings, and our investments
in green building practices for schools will provide substantial financial
savings for taxpayers, better learning environments for students and greater
environmental protection for all Pennsylvanians," Governor Rendell said.
The state departments of Environmental Protection and Education, along
with EPA, are urging Pennsylvania school districts to commit themselves to
improving their energy efficiency through ENERGY STAR(R), a federal program
helping schools, businesses and consumers protect the environment through
superior energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR(R) offers free Web tools and resources for identifying energy
reduction opportunities and developing energy management strategies. Schools
that improve their energy efficiency may qualify to earn the ENERGY STAR(R)
building label based on EPA's Energy Performance Rating System.
"Energy conservation and maximizing efficiency are critical to reducing
our dependence on imported fuels and protecting our environment," DEP
Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "By making these powerful tools available
to Pennsylvania schools, we will be preserving our financial and natural
resources at the same time we are teaching the next generation of
Pennsylvanians about the importance of energy conservation."
Currently, Pennsylvania has 73 ENERGY STAR(R)-qualified buildings,
including 12 school buildings, and the state's ENERGY STAR(R) buildings
represent approximately 10 million square feet of space. They save an
estimated $32 million annually in energy bills, while meeting industry
standards for indoor air quality. The buildings also prevent 122 million
pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from more than
37,000 vehicles.
Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said energy costs are second only
to labor costs for most school districts.
"This winter, districts have been seeing high energy prices that are
likely to continue into the foreseeable future," Zahorchak said. "Maximizing
resources is critical for all school districts. School districts that invest
in energy-efficient upgrades now will save money on an ongoing basis."
Pennsylvania's green building program has invested significant resources
through increased reimbursements to school districts as incentives to build or
renovate schools at the silver, gold and platinum levels of the U.S. Green
Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating
system. Planning grants have been used to facilitate the transition to more
energy-efficient buildings.
"The majority of state funds for school construction go to addition and
renovation projects instead of new construction," Zahorchak said. "The
partnership between Pennsylvania and ENERGY STAR(R) will leverage those
investments to provide the best educational environment possible."
As a starting point in the energy management process, ENERGY STAR's(R)
portfolio manager can benchmark and track energy consumption in all of a
district's buildings. The Web tool can show monthly savings by improving
energy performance. It can also track cost savings, energy-use reductions and
environmental impacts after building upgrades are made.
"By using these tools and resources, schools can make low-cost and no-cost
energy efficiency improvements that do not compromise comfort," said Donald S.
Welsh, regional administrator for EPA's mid-Atlantic region. "Pennsylvania is
to be commended for its environmental leadership."
For more information, visit DEP's Web site at
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword "Green Buildings" or the ENERGY
STAR(R) Web page at http://www.energystar.gov.
School facility managers interested in making their schools more energy
efficient and earning the ENERGY STAR(R) rating should contact Mark Hand,
DEP's ENERGY STAR(R) program manager at 717-787-9377, or Mindee Osno, EPA's
regional ENERGY STAR(R) program manager at 215-814-2074.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT: Kate Philips
717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
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Related links:
http://www.governor.state.pa.us
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us
CONTACT:
Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the
Governor, +1-717-783-1116
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