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EPA Administrator Christie Whitman Recognizes Philadelphia School District for Achieving Energy Star Designation in 11 Schools - The Philadelphia School District is the Only School District in Pennsylvania to Achieve Energy Efficiency in 11 School Buildings

Release Date: 12/2/2002
Contact Information: Donna Heron, (215) 814-5113

Donna Heron, (215) 814-5113

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored the Philadelphia School District today for its commitment to energy efficiency as demonstrated by 11 schools achieving the Energy Star Building label.

“Like many large urban school districts, Philadelphia schools are faced with limited resources, and aging school facilities,” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. “With more than half of its 264 schools built between 1890 and 1930, the school district is to be commended for its commitment and diligence in implementing an energy conservation program.”

The Philadelphia School District has the distinction of being the only school district in Pennsylvania to have this many Energy Star school buildings. The 11 Energy Star schools met the stringent energy performance and indoor air quality requirements and had this information certified by a professional engineer.

The Energy Star Program is one of the voluntary partnerships developed in 1996 between EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce pollution by promoting energy-efficient building upgrades. The program stresses partnership with schools, corporations, utilities, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments. Participants convert to energy-efficient technology as a way to reduce energy usage. The results are financial savings for the partners and less pollution for the planet.

In the 1980s, the Philadelphia School District administrators recognized the potential to save money on utility bills and to redirect the savings toward students. In 1982 the district launched the Save Energy Campaign, which to date has saved more than $150 million on utility bills. To continue its commitment to improving energy performance, the School District of Philadelphia joined Energy Star in 1999.

By 2001 the district evaluated all of its schools using Energy Star’s web-based building energy performance rating. As a result of this evaluation, the Energy Star label – the symbol of energy efficiency – was awarded to 11 of the district’s schools which indicates that they are among the top energy performers nationwide.

Whitman presented an Energy Star plaque to the following schools: the Stephen Girard School, Abram S. Jenks School, Delaplaine McDaniel School, Gen. George C. Meade School, Henry H. Houston School, James Elverson Middle School, Kenderton School, Overbrook Educational Center, Overbrook Elementary School, Frances E. Willard School and Feltonville School.

For more information about EPA’s Energy Star program, check out www.energystar.gov.