Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Dec. 27, 2007
By Dani McClain

West Allis-West Milwaukee School District is doing its part for the environment, according to a recent round of awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

The district was one of nine nationwide to be designated an Energy Star Leader by the EPA. The title is the agency's top honor for energy savings and goes to organizations such as schools, hospitals, supermarkets and hotels that own more than two facilities and reduce energy consumption by more than 10%. 

Along with eight school districts in Minnesota, the West Allis-West Milwaukee district significantly reduced its energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in 2007. From their combined 129 buildings, the nine districts reduced their annual carbon dioxide output by more than 22 million pounds. The impact is equivalent to taking about 1,800 cars and trucks off the road or shutting down energy in 216 homes annually, according to an EPA statement. 

West Allis-West Milwaukee credits the award in part to its partnership with Energy Education Inc., a national energy conservation company that has worked with the district since 2004.