Mansfield, TX – The Mansfield ISD has been recognized as a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for strategically managing and improving the energy efficiency of its entire building portfolio. Through its partnership with the ENERGY STAR program, MISD has improved its energy performance, saved money, and helped to protect the environment for future generations.

“Making our schools and facilities more energy efficient helps with funding challenges and provides teachable moments for broader energy conversation,” said Dr. Jim Vaszauskas, Superintendent of Schools. “By managing our energy use in partnership with ENERGY STAR, we are not only saving money, we are modeling lessons that students and staff can take home to help in the struggle against climate change.”

With a focus on ongoing performance measurement and whole-building improvement, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program provides a proven energy management strategy that has helped Mansfield ISD achieve important reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Key accomplishments of Mansfield ISD’s award-winning energy management program include:

• Between January and August 2013, MISD reduced electric and natural gas usage by 14% and reduced CO2 emissions by 2066.9metric tons;
• Since the partnership with Cenergistic began June 2012, MISD has saved over $1.6million in water, electricity and natural gas costs, cutting CO2 emissions by over 6,000 metric tons;
• Received the 20% Improvement in Overall Energy Performance award (2013);
• Received the Top Overall Energy Performance award (2013); and
• 153 total ENERGY STAR certifications were earned between MISD’s initial partnership with ENERGY STAR in 2006 and 2012. This is more than any other school district in the State of Texas;

“Innovative strategies in energy management are some of the most cost-effective ways to improve the bottom line in the places we work, shop, and play,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Mansfield ISD’s leadership in energy management supports the well-being of American families while also fighting climate change.”

“All of us at Cenergistic express our pride and congratulations to Mansfield ISD for receiving the prestigious 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award,” said Dr. Randy Hoff, PE, CEO.  “This recognition is validation at the highest level, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, of the school district’s success in energy conservation. Cenergistic is proud to partner with Mansfield ISD in developing a sustainable culture of energy conservation that is reducing the district’s carbon footprint and saving taxpayer dollars.”

The 2014 Partner of the Year Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy efficiency. The award winners are selected from the 16,000 partners that participate in the ENERGY STAR program and were recognized in Washington, D.C., on April 29, 2014.

Through 2013, with help from ENERGY STAR, American families and businesses have saved $297 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. 16,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, and buildings. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).