Five Georgia schools receive Energy Star rating

Five Georgia schools have been awarded the Energy Star by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Big A Elementary School, Estanollee Elementary School, Toccoa Elementary School, Liberty Elementary School and Stephens County Middle School all in Stephens County School System, were awarded the distinction by using an average of 35 percent less energy than the typical school building and releasing 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

According to the EPA, Stephens County School System reduced its energy use by monitoring the temperatures in its buildings, making sure lights were turned off in unoccupied areas of the buildings, working with custodians and staff on implementing energy reducing ideas throughout the day and night and making sure thermostats cut off and on at the correct time.

The EPA introduced the Energy Star rating as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

“(Our principals are) pleased to accept EPA’s Energy Star in recognition f or energy-efficiency efforts,” said Sherrie Whiten, superintendent of Stephens County School System. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs.”

By Liz Carey
Independent Mail