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EPA recognizes St. Paul, Minn., Public Schools for energy efficiency

Release Date: 05/11/2007
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA076

CHICAGO (May 11, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said today that St. Paul Public Schools, St. Paul, Minn., has been named an Energy Star Leader for reducing energy use more than 10 percent since 2003.

"St. Paul Public Schools is setting a great example for its students," said EPA Region 5 Administrator Mary A. Gade. "We need more organizations to take a leadership role and show that environmentally friendly is also economically friendly."

The second largest school district in Minnesota, St. Paul Public Schools educates more than 42,000 students in 58 school buildings with some 6.6 million square feet of floor space. Since 2003, energy reductions have saved the district more than $1 million. Over the past two years, the district has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 18.7 million pounds.

The district attributes its increased energy efficiency to operational and behavioral changes that prioritize safety and security. Operational changes include building temperature reductions, boiler replacements and lighting replacements. Behavioral changes are made through training and education with principals, staff, head engineers and students.

So far, only 46 organizations in the nation have achieved Energy Star Leader status. Fifteen are in EPA Region 5, and 13 of those are in Minnesota. Before achieving leader status, the organizations became Energy Star partners and then demonstrated continuous improvement in energy efficiency.

EPA introduced the Energy Star program in 1992 as a voluntary partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, the program offers business, government, non-profit organizations and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and to help protect the environment for future generations. More information about Energy Star Leaders is at http://www.energystar.gov.