BY MATTIE COOK

First, Mr. Kentucky Basketball and then Principal of the Year; once again Owen County School District has received statewide recognition by ranking number one in energy savings.

A report from the (Kentucky School Boards Association) School Energy Managers Project (SEMP) said in the last 7 years, 98 percent of Kentucky school districts have reduced their energy use, totaling a savings of $123 million. Calculations are made by looking at Energy Use Intensity (EUI), which measures energy use per square foot.

Owen County Schools tops fiscal year 2016 ranking with an EUI reduction of 29.3 percent since 2010; a 12.6 higher EUI reduction over number two ranking Nelson County.

After Nelson, the top ten unfolds with Marion, Scott, Oldham, Walton-Verona, Butler, East Bernstadt, Trigg, and Anderson districts.

Being recognized for energy reduction is a great honor, according to Owen County School Superintendent Rob Stafford.

“I’m extremely proud,” he said. “We were number one 2 years ago and just barely lost last year. It shows our commitment to energy and our community to be wise stewards of our tax dollars. Any money we can save is more money we can put into our core mission which is educating children.”

SEMP personnel help school districts look at the logistics of energy use, develop an energy reduction plan and collaborate with energy stakeholders on energy saving activities.

Stafford says Owen County School Director of Maintenance Dan Logan has been instrumental in Owen County’s energy ranking, as he and other offi cials make certain energy reduction is a forefront conversation not only within the district but also with architects and engineers. This is especially important going into the lower elementary renovation, using geothermal technology to save energy.

Of the 173-district list, neighboring districts rank as follows: Scott, 4; Gallatin, 31; Henry, 49; Grant, 115; Franklin, 116 and Carroll, 124.