Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools (KEEPS) has presented its Stewardship Award to Fayette County Public Schools for the district’s commitment to reducing operational costs through best energy-management practices.

To earn the award, FCPS:

• Passed a school board-approved energy policy;
• Established a district energy team to lead energy management program efforts;
• Developed a communications plan to raise awareness about districtwide initiatives to save energy;
• Became a partner in the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR program; and
• Established baseline and follow-up energy performance tracking standards for all facilities within the district.

“From senior administration to students, Fayette County Public Schools clearly understands the fiscal and environmental benefits of energy efficiency,” said KEEPS program manager Fred Byrd, who presented the award at May’s school board meeting.

KEEPS is an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded program that provides training, online resources and technical assistance to help Kentucky school districts reduce operational costs through improved energy performance. It is a free and non-regulatory program administered by the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center at the University of Louisville.

KEEPS training, technical services and other resources are based on the ENERGY STAR seven-step Guidelines for Energy Management. The Stewardship Award and other KEEPS honors are presented to school districts that reach specific milestones in the seven-step process.

For more information, visit www.kppc.org/KEEPS.