Pinellas County Schools (PCS), earned its first ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year from ENERGY STAR® for an energy conservation program that has saved the district nearly $22 million since 2015.
PCS earned 92 ENERGY STAR® Certifications in 2018, earning the most in Florida for that year. Certifications are awarded only to the top 25% of energy-efficient buildings nationwide.
PCS partnered with Cenergistic, national leading energy conservation and sustainability company, in 2015 to implement an energy conservation program with three primary program goals: improve and maintain building comfort; save money by reducing energy consumption; and change the district’s culture to conservation. Program savings help fund teacher salaries and student programs. Cenergistic also facilitates the process of districts achieving, applying for and being awarded ENERGY STAR® certifications, with the company’s clients making up 52% of K-12 buildings in the U.S. achieving ENERGY STAR® certifications.
“ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year is a substantial accomplishment. By implementing Cenergistic’s conservation and sustainability program, the people of Pinellas County Schools deserve recognition as national sustainability leaders,” said Dr. William S. Spears, CEO, Chairman and Founder of Cenergistic. “Only 1.2% of all ENERGY STAR® partners worldwide received this honor in 2019. We commend the administration and all staff members for clearly fulfilling their commitment to being good stewards of the environment.”
In addition earning 92 ENERGY STAR® certifications, PCS set a goal to become a sustainability leader and achieve excellence in energy conservation, instilling a “second-nature” mindset of sustainability among the entire district and beyond. They reduced energy consumption significantly, saving $21.9M in expected energy costs. PCS is a strong leader in the community. Recognition as ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year is a further testament to the district’s commitment and dedication to the environment.
About Pinellas County Schools Pinellas County Schools serves over 104,000 students in more than 140 schools, is the seventh-largest district in Florida and 26th-largest in the nation. Pinellas offers a wealth of educational choices, including 70 application programs suited to students’ interests, talents, and abilities, as well as dozens of career-focused and STEM magnet programs at all grade levels. Pinellas’ vision is 100% student success and its mission is to educate and prepare each student for college, careers, and life. To learn more, visit their website here.
About ENERGY STAR® The ENERGY STAR® program was established by the EPA in 1992 to foster economic development, greater competitiveness, and a healthy environment. It is the most trusted, government-backed voluntary certification program in the U.S. for energy efficiency. Its high standards require efficient performance, ensuring a quality, environmentally-friendly building. It helps organizations save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by identifying factories, office equipment, home appliances and electronics that have superior energy efficiency. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR® associated greenhouse gas reductions have reached 3.1 billion metric tons. To learn more visit www.energystar.gov.
