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BUHLER SCHOOL FACILITIES AWARDED EPA'S ENERGY STAR
Overland Park, KA - August 12, 2008 - The Buhler Unified School District 313 administration has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) prestigious ENERGY STAR , the EPA’s public recognition for achieving superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. This designation is conferred on buildings that rate better than 75 percent of facilities in the nation for energy efficiency and have been professionally verified to meet current indoor environmental standards.
To attain this honor, the District worked closely with Overland Park-based Custom Energy Services, a ConEdison Solutions energy services company, to find a creative solution to reduce the school’s energy consumption. Using a concept known as guaranteed energy savings performance contracting, Custom Energy Services completed $1.2 million in energy-efficient upgrades in the District’s facilities including lighting modifications, new boilers, a new chiller, upgrades to the energy management systems, and water conservation measures.
The upgrades at the Buhler Unified School District were completed under the Kansas Facility Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP). Benefits of this program include:
· Facility improvements with little or no up-front capital;
· Expert assistance from the State of Kansas throughout the process to ensure clients get the results promised;
· Pre-negotiated contracts with service providers;
· Low interest rates for financing; and
· The backing of a system with a proven track record of successful projects.
In 2005, the Kansas State Legislature passed a measure that expanded FCIP’s scope to include K-12 public schools statewide. The Buhler Unified School District was one of the first school districts in Kansas to take advantage of this opportunity to improve its learning environment through the use of the Facility Conservation Improvement Program and as such was recognized by Governor Sebelius at the project’s onset.
“We’re honored to receive this award that illustrates our commitment to creating the best learning and working environment for our students and staff in the most cost-effective manner possible,” commented superintendent Brax. “And thanks to the team at Custom Energy Services, the Kansas Energy Office and certainly the legislators who had the foresight and commitment to help us be a leader in energy efficiency.”
The EPA’s Energy Star designation marks the Buhler Unified School District as one of only five districts in Kansas to have received this high honor and demonstrates the significant effort made by the District to provide the best educational environment possible while taking a leadership role as stewards of energy resources and district funds.
About Custom Energy
Custom Energy Services, a ConEdison Solutions company, is an energy services company specializing in a wide range of energy-efficiency solutions. Its services are focused on identifying and implementing energy and operational cost-saving ideas, while improving the quality of facilities for public and private sector clients nationwide. More information about Custom Energy Services is located at www.customenergy.com.
About ConEdison Solutions
ConEdison Solutions is a leading energy services company that provides competitive power supply, renewable energy, sustainability services, and cost-effective energy solutions for commercial, industrial, residential, and government customers. The company is based in White Plains, New York, with offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Arlington, Virginia; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Durham, North Carolina and Overland Park, Kansas. The firm’s dedicated team of energy professionals delivers a broad range of commodity, consulting, demand-side management and performance contracting services. ConEdison Solutions offers programs and services designed to help customers achieve their individual energy objectives and is accredited as an Energy Services Provider (ESP) by the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO).
ConEdison Solutions is a subsidiary and registered trademark of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED). More information can be obtained by calling 1-888-210-8899 or visiting the ConEdison Solutions website at www.conedsolutions.com. You can also visit the Consolidated Edison, Inc. website at www.conedison.com for information on all of the Consolidated Edison companies.
Photo Caption (from left) Dr. David Brax, Superintendent, Gaylen Banz, Board of Education President, Todd Stephenson, Business Manager, Dale L. Hahs, Manager Business Development of Custom Energy, Ray Hammarlund, Director, Kansas Energy Office.
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