Energy Department Recognizes Bullitt County Public Schools in Kentucky for Progress towards Energy Goals

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized Better Buildings Challenge partner, Bullitt County Public Schools (BCPS), for the energy productivity advances made in its Mt. Washington Elementary School. Located in Shepherdsville, Kentucky and serving more than 13,000 students, the school district committed to improving its energy performance by 20% over a 10-year period across its two million square foot portfolio. The school district is well on its way to achieving this goal and has already reduced energy by 18% from a 2013 baseline.

Director of DOE's Better Buildings Challenge Maria Vargas visited Mt. Washington Elementary School, the district’s Better Buildings Showcase Project, to congratulate the school on its significant energy savings achieved. The school was selected for a year-and-a-half long renovation that resulted in 32% annual energy savings and $28,000 annual costs savings. The school upgraded all interior and exterior lighting to LEDs and replaced the rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system with a new geothermal system. The renovation added nearly 13,000 square feet to the building for a new gym and library, and expanded classroom space. School officials say they recognize the positive impact these energy improvements have on the learning environment for students and staff.

The Bullitt County Public Schools District has engaged students and faculty in its commitment to energy management by implementing a district energy plan that encourages each person to take responsibility for using energy efficiently. The plan also includes guidelines on building operations and maintenance such as temperature controls, building resource management, lighting, space heaters, filters, holiday period procedures, new construction standards, and water conservation.

Better Buildings is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy designed to improve the lives of the American people by driving leadership in energy innovation. Through Better Buildings, DOE partners with leaders in the public and private sectors to make the nation’s homes, commercial buildings and industrial plants more energy efficient by accelerating investment and sharing of successful best practices. Greater efficiency saves billions of dollars on energy bills, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and creates jobs. More than 900 organizations now partner with DOE in Better Buildings and have saved more than $3 billion in energy costs to date.

The Better Buildings Challenge is a network of leading businesses, manufacturers, cities, states, universities, and school districts that commit to improving the energy efficiency of their portfolio of buildings by at least 20% over 10 years and share their strategies and results.

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