Seneca Valley Buildings Net EPA Energy Star Certification

Six building in thehave earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification. This recognition is presented to the most energy efficient buildings in the country, a statement from the district said.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition from Energy Star,” Superintendent Dr. Tracy Vitale said. “Our energy conservation efforts are saving taxpayer dollars while also helping protect our local environment. Since we began partnering with Energy Education on a serious energy conservation program we have saved $834,300 and the environmental impact is equal to taking 1,000 cars off the street or planting 142,000 trees in our community. We are proud that our energy saving success is being recognized by Energy Star.”

To earn an Energy Star certification, buildings must rate in the top 25 percent nationwide for energy efficiency, the district said.

According to Seneca Valley, the cost of utilities is the second largest budgeted item for the district—and the prices for electricity, natural gas, heating oil and water have been on a steady increasing.

To combat this, Seneca Valley officials said they entered into a partnership with Energy Education to implement an organized, behavior-driven energy conservation program throughout all its buildings.

Since the program was first implemented, Seneca Valley has saved 19 percent on its energy and utility costs, the district statement said.

 “Our students, staff and faculty embrace the energy conservation program at our campus,” said Tom Hallman, principal at “Each of us can make a difference through energy conservation, because people use energy, buildings don’t.”

Evans City Middle School was one of the Seneca Valley buildings that earned an Energy Star certification.

“We are part of a daily effort to improve the environment and save money organization-wide,” Hallman said. “There are dozens and dozens of changes, large and small, that we have implemented that are saving energy without affecting our comfort or educational goals. We have all gained a real sense of accomplishment from this Energy Star recognition.  Our students are learning, too, what it means to preserve precious natural resources.”

Seneca Valley’s energy conservation program is projected to save approximately $9 million through the first 10 years of its energy conservation program, the district said.

Information submitted by Seneca Valley School District. Have news or photos you'd like to share with Patch readers? Email information and photos to Editor Jessica Sinichak at jessica.sinichak@patch.com or visit our Neighborhood Gallery.