LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville-based Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center has been chosen as a 2011 ENERGY STAR award winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
An award for Partner of the Year in Program Delivery was presented to KPPC representatives today in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The EPA introduced its ENERGY STAR partnership program in 1992 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy use.
“KPPC is a leader in showing its customers how they can help protect our environment while saving energy and money,” said Elizabeth Craig, acting director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs.
The center, a part of UofL’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering, provides free, confidential and nonregulatory technical information and assistance to help the state’s businesses, industries, school districts and other groups stay environmentally sustainable and competitive by cutting energy costs and preventing pollution.
“The University of Louisville is proud of the work being done by KPPC to help Kentucky businesses and schools save money, energy and the environment,” UofL President James Ramsey said.
KPPC received the ENERGY STAR recognition for helping clients build self-sustaining energy management programs. The center uses ENERGY STAR’s seven-step energy management guidelines as a foundation for its series of tools, training and other resources for clients and encourages clients to become ENERGY STAR partners, use its tools and participate in its initiatives.
For example, to date, 96 Kentucky school districts have become ENERGY STAR partners, more than 80 K-12 schools have earned ENERGY STAR designation and 21 commercial and industrial facilities have committed to continual energy management improvement by using ENERGY STAR tools. KPPC supports its clients as they advance through the energy management process and recognizes their achievements through its awards programs. Last year KPPC conducted 44 on-site energy efficiency assessments that identified ways to produce a projected annual cost savings of $1.6 million.
KPPC administers programs for businesses (Environmental Sustainability Program) and schools (Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools) in partnership with the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence. KPPC’s programs are designed to help the state reach its goal of reducing state energy consumption by 18 percent by 2025.
For more information, contact Sandy Denham at 502-852-7361 or sandy.denham@louisville.edu or check www.kppc.org