All News Releases By Date

Falcon (Colo.) School District earns designation as EPA Energy Star Leader

Release Date: 11/15/2006
Contact Information: Patty Crow USEPA, 303 312-6464; Richard Mylott USEPA, 303 312-6654; General Inquiries 800 227-8917

Schools have reduced energy use by 33 percent since 1997

{11/15/2006 -- Denver, Colo.} The Falcon School District in El Paso County, Colo. has earned a prestigious designation as an Energy Star Leader under an Environmental Protection Agency program that recognizes organizational excellence in reducing energy use and improving the environment.

"Across America, energy savings are soaring because organizations like the Falcon School District are making smart energy decisions that are good for the environment and good for taxpayers," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Through Energy Star, President Bush and EPA are improving the nation's energy and environmental outlook. I applaud the administrators, teachers and students at the Falcon School District for helping hand the next generation a brighter, healthier future."

The Falcon School District has aggressively pursued improved energy efficiency since 1997. Improvements have included the installation of a district-wide building automation system, high efficiency lighting and motion sensors, electric to gas heating conversions, condensing boilers and high-efficiency motors. The net result has been a 33 percent reduction in the district’s energy use, from 96,000 Btus/sf in 1997 to 64,000 Btus/sf in 2005. The District continues to make energy efficiency improvements by replacing old equipment with Energy Star rated units, expanding DDC control at existing buildings, and continuous energy monitoring.

The Falcon School District is one of 20 new organizations across the nation that are being recognized by EPA as Energy Star Leaders. From schools to grocery stores to hotels to offices, these organizations are rising to the challenge to reduce the energy they use, save money, and help the environment.

Nationwide, Energy Star Leaders manage over 212 million square feet of building space -- more than the combined office space of Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. These facilities achieve significant energy savings with simple steps, such as turning off lights and computers while not in use, setting temperatures that balance comfort and efficiency, upgrading to more efficient lighting, and more. Energy Star Leaders also demonstrate a corporate commitment to energy efficiency, with involvement at all levels from students to executives.

Announced in 2005, the Energy Star Challenge encourages building owners and managers to reduce energy use by 10 percent or more. Commercial and institutional buildings use about $80 billion worth of energy each year and contribute about 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. EPA estimates that if each building owner met this challenge, by 2015 Americans would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from 15 million vehicles, while saving about $10 billion.

EPA provides easy-to-use tools to help building owners and managers reduce energy use. The national building energy performance rating system helps building managers rate the efficiency of their buildings on a scale of 1 to 100 points, set goals for improving building efficiency, and document improvements. Energy Star Leaders have either documented a 10 point or greater improvement across all of the buildings within their organization or have earned an exemplary average rating across all buildings.

The Falcon School District operates 12 schools with a student population of more than 10,000. The District is constructing two new high schools with the expectation of achieving Energy Star certification, and plans to pursue certification on all future buildings.

More information about Energy Star Leaders: http://www.energystar.gov/leaders