Dacula Area Schools Earn Energy Star Certification

Several Dacula area schools were among the Gwinnett County schools that recently earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification for superior energy performance.

A total of 111 of GCPS’ 117 schools were recognized for performing in the top 25 percent of K-12 schools nationwide in terms of energy efficiency and energy performance levels. GCPS has more than 21 million square feet of Energy Star certified space. According to a GCPS press release, the energy efficient space results in savings of $8.4 million annually systemwide.

“In Gwinnett, we take pride in being a leader instructionally and operationally,” said CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks in a released statement. “On the operations side, it is critical that we make good business decisions and assess our practices against industry standards. I am pleased with the strides we have been able to make in terms of energy efficiency ... strides that have led to 95 percent of our eligible schools earning the Energy Star rating. While this recognition is notable, I contend that the savings we are recouping through our conservation efforts is what is most important. In these tough budget times, those are dollars that can be used to better serve students.”

Local schools awarded the Energy Star certification include:

• Archer High School
• Mountain View High School
• Twin Rivers Middle School