Schools Go Green, Get Kudos

Eighteen Pajaro Valley Unified School District schools have earned the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification award, the school district announced this week.

The recognition is bestowed on the most energy-efficient buildings and sites in the country.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition from the EPA,” Brett McFadden, the district’s chief business officer, said in a prepared statement. “Our energy conservation efforts are saving taxpayer dollars while also helping protect our local environment. Since we began partnering with Energy Education Inc. on a serious energy conservation program, we have saved more than $1,326,573, and the environmental impact is equal to taking 599 cars off the street or planting 85,369 trees in our community.”

The following PVUSD Schools earned ENERGY STAR certification. They were honored at the school board meeting on Wednesday.

• Hall District elementary
• Mar Vista elementary
• Ohlone elementary
• Valencia elementary
• Aptos junior high
• Cesar Chavez middle school
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To earn ENERGY STAR certification, buildings must rate in the top 25 percent nationwide for energy efficiency.

The cost of utilities is one of the largest budget line-items for the district, and the prices for electricity, natural gas and water have been steadily increasing, according to McFadden. Since the district’s energy management program was first implemented in 2008, the district has saved more than 20 percent on its energy and utility costs.