Recognized by the US Department of Energy, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Department of Education
Canajoharie – The Canajoharie Central School District among 13 K-12 Schools nationwide to be celebrated by the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Education for their accomplishments in improving energy efficiency and student health as part of the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program. Canajoharie CSD received this national accolade for Best-in-Class Solutions Strategist category.
“We are proud of the work we have done at Canajoharie to improve the efficiency of our systems,” said District Energy Manager Fran D’Ambrosio “Not only have these improvements lowered our operating costs, but these updates are shown to improve student health, boost academic performance, and provide an opportunity for our students and administration to lead by example at a national level.”
Schools represent the third largest sector of commercial building energy usage in the United States. School building energy consumption costs US school districts more than $8 billion annually and produces emissions equivalent to 18 coal-fired power plants. This number is staggering and part of the impetus to create the Efficient and Healthy School Program.
The Efficient and Healthy Schools Program is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Education that provides recognition and technical assistance to school districts across the nation seeking to implement high-impact indoor air quality and efficiency improvements that will reduce energy bills and improve student and teacher health. The Canajoharie CSD has been working on this program over the last year to achieve solutions with immediate impact and long-term benefits, including Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and other technologies to reduce energy use and emissions. These best practices are helping other schools engage in similar efforts nationwide.
Recognition for Best-in-Class
Recipients of Best-in-Class received recognition for implementing projects in one of four categories for the 2023-24 program year: Data Detective, Retrofit Revolutionary, Performance Pro, Solutions Strategist. These projects are well-planned, collect robust data that document improvements in energy efficiency and health, engage students in learning opportunities, and are replicable.
Recognition for Notable Achievement
These school districts honored with Notable Achievement demonstrated success in setting a broad work scope, clearly stating performance criteria, and describing improvements in energy efficiency and the learning environment. These projects demonstrate strong efforts that encompass one or more components of this year’s recognition categories.
Organizations honored as Solutions Strategists developed plans and made committed goals to advance district initiatives that achieve sustained and long-term improvements of their school buildings. The Canajoharie CSD was recognized in this category based on our work of developing and implementing a plan for resilient and sustainable improvements that increase Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency creating a healthy and safe learning environment. This plan includes the infusion of energy conservation, management and career paths for STEM students within the district. As energy becomes a more prevalent topic in society, the District’s vision of “Every Learner, Together, World Ready” requires the inclusion of energy to meet the mission, goals and values. We are preparing the future workforce and leading by example most notably by creating solutions that reduce emissions, lower operational costs, lessen maintenance time and create comfortable safe areas.
This unique distinction recognizes the Canajoharie CSD as a K-12 energy efficiency, health, comfort, and resilience leader. This recognition gives them the opportunity to build on their own success and allow the community to continue the project's momentum to improve school infrastructure
About the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program: The Efficient and Healthy Schools Program aims to motivate and empower K-12 schools to reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency, health, and resilience. The program connects schools with practical solutions and provides technical assistance and resources to improve school facilities significantly. It is led by the US Department of Energy Building Technologies Office with technical support from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and New Buildings Institute.