HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 70 Offered February 21, 2007 Commending the York County School Division. ---------- Patrons-- Rapp and Gear ----------

WHEREAS, for the second consecutive year, the York County School Division has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for improving its energy performance rating and leading the way in responding to the agency’s Energy Star Building Challenge; and

WHEREAS, the EPA’s Energy Star Recognition program honors businesses and institutions that make their buildings more efficient and reduce energy use by 10 percent or more through proven methods such as low-cost building tune-ups, lighting upgrades, and the replacement of old equipment; and

WHEREAS, home to 18 schools, 1,800 employees, and more than 12,600 students, the York County School Division uses a two-pronged approach to curb energy waste, save money, and help the environment, and in 2006, the division registered a 20 percent improvement in energy use; and

WHEREAS, the first approach involves engineering efforts to optimize systems, such as replacing outdated fluorescent lights with electronic T-8 lighting, installing digital building automation systems, and using occupancy sensors, heat wheels, variable-frequency pumping, and geo-thermal linked heat pumps; and

WHEREAS, the York County School Division's second approach has centered on educating employees to enhance their energy conservation habits; and

WHEREAS, the York County School Division accepted the Energy Star Building Challenge to “help reduce the demand on our nation’s energy supply—all while protecting our shared environment for the next generation”; and

WHEREAS, the York County School Division’s outstanding achievement in energy conservation provides a model for other school systems, institutions, and businesses, public and private, as well as for individual citizens to improve energy efficiency, save money on energy costs, and protect the environment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the York County School Division hereby be commended and congratulated for its well-deserved national recognition by the EPA; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of the York County School Division as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for its impressive accomplishment in energy conservation.