RICHMOND — State and federal officials joined with Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Superintendents Association earlier this month to confer Energy Star recognition on 11 schools, including Addison Central School. The sought-after designation indicates that the schools are in the top 25 percent nationally for energy efficiency, and that they meet stringent standards for health, ventilation, comfort and lighting quality.
The Nov. 7 award ceremony also marked the launch of Project Green School, a unique collaboration that will seek to put all Vermont schools on the path toward Energy Star designation by 2020.
In addition to Addison Central, the other schools recognized were Camels Hump Middle School; Clarendon and Woodbury elementary schools; Shelburne Community School; Waits River Valley School; and Brattleboro, Champlain Valley, Harwood, Lake Region, Mount Mansfield union high schools.
The Environmental Protection Agency presented Energy Star flags to delegations from each of the schools being honored.
“Washington could learn a lot from the way these schools are taking practical steps to save money while reducing environmental impact,” said Congressman Peter Welch, who was at the event. “Project Green School is yet another example of Vermont’s trailblazing efforts on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Congratulations to Efficiency Vermont and the School Energy Management Program for their leadership on the simple and practical notion that saving energy can create jobs, cut utility bills and improve the environment.”
Over the last 13 years, Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Superintendents Association’s School Energy Management Program have supported 1,200 energy efficiency projects at 350 schools, delivering $43 million in energy savings over the lifetime of the projects. In the area of renewable energy, Vermont has pioneered the use of woodchip heating systems. Today, some 5.6 million square feet of space in Vermont schools is heated this way, with an annual savings of $2.6 million per year, and 30 percent of all Vermont public school students attend a wood heated school.
“The 11 schools we are honoring today have done great work,” said Jim Merriam, director of Efficiency Vermont. “But the steps they have taken are within reach of any school in our state. With focused effort and enhanced support through Project Green School, we are looking forward to helping every community in Vermont provide a healthier and more energy efficient environment for their students.”