Mendham Township K-8 Earns EPA Certification

Mendham Township Elementary and Middle Schools, have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the buildings perform in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meet strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA. This was the second year for the schools to be awarded this prestigious designation.

“Mendham Township Public Schools is pleased to accept EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Dr. Kris Harrison, Superintendent. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs. The School Energy Savings Program has become a tool in reducing expenses enabling the preservation of student programs that many surrounding districts have reduced over the past few years.”

“Through our partnership with School Energy Solutions, the District’s energy consultant, we have reduced energy expenditures over $500,000 with all of the savings being redirected to the classroom and to minimizing increases to the local tax levy,” Harrison added. “School Energy Solutions has not only guided us to conserve energy, but has enabled us to operate our physical plants in a much more efficient manner.”

Buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35% less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, Mendham Township Public Schools took the following actions: Enrolled in the School Energy Savings Program (SESP) which assists the district in managing and reducing its energy costs and continues to monitor and optimize its potential in savings.

The Mendham Township schools had a base line rating of 50 at the end of 12/31/2007. The current ERP is now 82. A building has to score 75 or higher to be eligible for this certification.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market‐based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy‐efficiency specifications set by the EPA.

For more information about School Energy Solutions: www.SchoolEnergySolutions.us