Arlington, Texas — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 1,400 buildings nationwide that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation for exceptional management of their energy use in 2007. Texas saved more CO2 emissions than any other state — preventing about 2 billion pounds of CO2 from harming the environment.
Gideon Elementary Watt Watchers issue green awards for classroom conservation efficiency.
Local media took special interest on Febrary 12. |
Mansfield ISD's Imogene Gideon Elementary School in Arlington, Texas, is one of the buildings that received the ENERGY STAR designation this year. By making simple changes to their building, Imogene Gideon Elementary reduced their CO2 emissions by 133 tons in 2007 — equivalent to 23 vehicles. The school is a great example of how small changes can lead to big savings.
Imogene Gideon Elementary has made a variety of energy-efficient changes to their facility, from installing software to automatically turn off computers while idle, to replacing halide lamps in the gym with T-5 high output fixtures. Additionally, students participate in the “Texas Watt Watchers” program which encourages them to learn and enforce energy-efficient behavior around campus.
EPA’s national energy performance rating system provides a 1-100 scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the ENERGY STAR. Commercial Buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retailers, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, and warehouses.
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 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2006, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $14 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 25 million vehicles.
Gideon Elementary is one of 13 Mansfield ISD schools to receive the ENERGY STAR designation. The other campuses are: Alice Ponder Elementary, D.P. Morris Elementary, Elizabeth Smith Elementary, Erma Nash Elementary, Kenneth Davis Elementary, Martha Reid Elementary, Tarver-Rendon Elementary, Thelma Jones Elementary and Willie Brown Elementary; T.A. Howard Middle School, Cross Timbers Intermediate School and Mansfield Summit High School.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the 13 MISD schools on the Energy Star list are the only schools in Tarrant County to receive this designation. |
