Polk County Public Schools

Polk Schools Are Only Florida Organization Named 2009 Energy Star Leader By EPA

February 9, 2010

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced February 2 that the Polk Public Schools were one of 58 national organizations to be named a 2009 Energy Star Leader for energy efficiency.

The EPA reported that 54 of the 58 organizations were school districts. Polk is the only Florida organization to make the list in 2009. Energy Star Leaders must meet energy efficiency improvement milestones. Polk is listed in EPA reports as a 2009 Energy Star Leader “Top Performer” for energy conservation in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Click here for further information.

Click here to view a comprehensive list of Energy Star Leaders from 2004 to 2009. These include school districts, commercial real estate companies, hospitals, supermarkets and hospitality companies.

Since April 2009, 119 Polk schools have earned the EPA’s Energy Star symbol for energy conservation. These schools are using at least 35 percent less energy while providing comfort to students and staff. The school district overall has lowered its energy costs by 37.8 percent since instituting an energy management program in 1991 and achieved an energy cost savings of approximately $71 million since then.

Energy conservation actions and methods implemented by the school district include:

• Education of all staff in the most energy-efficient way to use equipment that they control
• Detailed shutdown procedures when buildings are not occupied
• Monitoring of all school sites during operational and non-operational hours for the most energy efficient use of equipment and to ensure control systems are working correctly
• Monitoring of all utility accounts for proper rate structure and accurate billing
• Inputting usage and cost for all utility bills into computer software for tracking and reporting purposes
• Planning of all new buildings and additions to include the most energy efficient design
• Education of students and staff about energy efficiency through classroom presentations and published information
• Frequent walk-throughs of school buildings and communication to teachers and staff about comfort and energy efficiency measures

Contact Fred Murphy, assistant superintendent of support services, (863) 534-7309 for further information on the Energy Star Leader award or the school district’s energy conservation implementation.