Energy Efficiency Program for Schools

Summary

In an effort to encourage the design and construction of more energy efficient, sustainable schools, Executive Order EO 2006-1297 was signed on October 12, 2006.

Legislation passed in 2008 (HB 2 Section 16) superseded the provisions of the EO and requires each board of education to enroll in the Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program (KEEPS) through KPPC-the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center at the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering. The purpose of the enrollment is for each board to report information regarding potential and/or actual energy use reduction /energy savings for their board-owned and operated facilities and to create comprehensive energy management plans. KEEPS was concluded in 2012 but still has an active resource page found here.

The Department of Education and the Department for Energy Development provide guidelines and assistance to school districts that choose to renovate and build new school buildings through the use of efficient school design.  General Assembly Bill SB 132, chapter 134 provides for a voluntary program meant to ensure that efficient school design features and components are utilized and integrated into the school curriculum.  These features encourage the use of a holistic approach to design, construction, operation, and maintenance, including a life-cycle cost analysis.  The school district may contribute capital outlay funds for energy conservation measures under guaranteed energy savings contracts pursuant to KRS 45A.345-353.