SMITHVILLE SCHOOLS EARN THE EPA's
ENERGY STARŪ FOR SUPERIOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Aggressive program has reduced energy costs by 33% a year
SMITHVILLE, MO - Jan. 15, 2009: The Smithville R-II School District has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) prestigious ENERGY STARŪ, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. The Smithville School District now has three of the seven schools in the state of Missouri that have achieved this designation.
Buildings that earn the ENERGY STARŪ use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The Smithville School District -- which includes Smithville Primary Elementary School, Smithville Middle School, and Smithville High School - earned the prestigious honor for the $1.9 million energy efficiency program completed by Custom Energy Services, a ConEdison Solutions company based in Overland Park, KS.
The upgrades have helped the district to reduce annual energy consumption by 33 percent and have produced annual savings of nearly $86,000 a year.
"Working closely with Custom Energy Services, we implemented a comprehensive energy savings program that has reduced our energy consumption, benefitted the environment and has helped to create the best learning environment for our students," said Wayne Krueger, Assistant Superintendent for Support Services, Smithville R-ll School District. "We're thrilled to receive this award and to pledge our continued commitment to energy efficiency in Smithville."
Custom Energy Services helped the Smithville School District improve its energy performance by managing energy strategically and making cost-effective improvements to its buildings. Specifically, the upgrades included replacing rooftop units, replacing windows and ceilings, retrofitting lighting, implementing a new energy management system, and improving water conservation measures.
The program has helped the District achieve the environmental impact of reducing 1,289 tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions annually, the equivalent of preserving 8.2 acres of forest from deforestation or conserving 2,719 barrels of oil.
EPA's national energy performance rating system provides a 1-100 scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the ENERGY STARŪ. Buildings that can earn the ENERGY STARŪ include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retail stores, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, and warehouses.
ENERGY STARŪ was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STARŪ label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STARŪ designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2007, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STARŪ, saved about $16 billion on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles. For more information about ENERGY STARŪ visit
www.energystar.gov.
About Custom Energy Services
Custom Energy Services, a ConEdison Solutions company, is an energy services company specializing in a wide range of energy-efficiency solutions. Its services are focused on identifying and implementing energy and operational cost-saving ideas, while improving the quality of facilities for public and private sector clients nationwide. More information about Custom Energy Services is located at www.customenergy.com.
ConEdison Solutions is a leading energy services company that provides competitive power supply, renewable energy, sustainability services, and cost-effective energy solutions for commercial, industrial, residential, and government customers. The company is based in White Plains, New York, with offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Arlington, Virginia; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Durham, North Carolina; and Overland Park, Kansas. The firms dedicated team of energy professionals delivers a broad range of commodity, consulting, demand-side management and performance contracting services. ConEdison Solutions offers programs and services designed to help customers achieve their individual energy objectives and is accredited as an Energy Services Provider (ESP) by the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO).
ConEdison Solutions is a subsidiary and registered trademark of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED). More information can be obtained by calling 1-888-210-8899 or visiting the
ConEdison Solutions website at
www.conedsolutions.com You can also visit the Consolidated Edison, Inc. website at
www.conedison.com for information on all of the Consolidated Edison companies.
