FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2025
Johnson Elementary Earns ENERGY STAR® Certification and Leads the Way in Energy Efficiency!
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools are pleased to announce Johnson Elementary in Charlottesville, Virginia has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy performance.
“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to protecting our environment,“ said Cindy Jacobs, Chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. “From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification.”
ENERGY STAR certified buildings are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide, based on weather normalized source energy use that considers occupancy, hours of operation, and other key metrics. ENERGY STAR is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance.
“We’re honored to earn the ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance at Johnson Elementary School and appreciate the efforts of everyone who has been involved in its efficient operation,” said Kirk Vizzier, the City of Charlottesville’s Energy Management Coordinator. “Saving energy is just one of the ways we show our community we care, and that we’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment and public health, both today and for future generations.”
Vizzier credits much of the success to the hard work of the City’s Facilities Maintenance staff to ensure the building is running efficiently, the support of Charlottesville City Schools toward energy conservation, and the students and staff at Johnson Elementary School for their support of energy saving behaviors.
On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35 percent less energy, cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers—all without sacrifices in performance or comfort.
To date, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across all fifty states have earned the ENERGY STAR. For more information about ENERGY STAR for Buildings and Plants, visit www.energystar.gov/buildings.
For more information about the City’s Energy and Water Management Program including building performance and education at CCS, visit www.charlottesville.gov/EnergyWater.
Media Contact
Kirk Vizzier
Energy Management Coordinator
City of Charlottesville
(434) 970-3348
Vizzierk@charlottesville.gov