Gresham-Barlow School District earns 2024 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award
Every dollar saved in energy costs is redirected to the classroom
The Gresham-Barlow School District is proud to announce that it has received the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is the 12th time that GBSD has received the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award.
Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency and the transition to a clean energy economy.
“What we save in energy costs is redirected to the classroom,” said Superintendent James Hiu. “We appreciate the work of our students and staff members do to reduce our energy use and protect the environment.”
For several years Gresham-Barlow School District has promoted a culture of energy conservation at every level. The school district is committed to energy management and conservation and this commitment results in savings of more than $1.1m each year on energy costs, which is the equivalent of approximately 10 teachers.
Additional key 2023 accomplishments include:
-
Achieving ENERGY STAR certification at 10 schools.
-
Increasing the district average ENERGY STAR score to 87 and reducing site energy use intensity by nearly 5% compared with the previous 12 months.
-
Completing extensive energy efficiency retrofits in 70% of schools and replacing the energy management controls system districtwide.
-
Reestablishing a Shutdown with ENERGY STAR program and school checklist to ensure that all facilities are shut down properly during long weekends and breaks, with help from high school interns.
-
Providing leadership by working with other school districts in Oregon to help them understand how EPA’s ENERGY STAR tools and resources can help reduce energy use and costs in their own districts.