EPA gives The Hotchkiss School high marks for its green energy use

LAKEVILLE — The Hotchkiss School has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for one of its environmental initiatives. The school ranks eighth on the EPA’s Top 20 K-12 Schools of the largest green power purchasers among primary and secondary schools.

Hotchkiss purchases nearly 2 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 22 percent of the school’s purchased electricity use.

“We are pleased to have received this recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,†said Joshua Hahn, assistant head of school and director of environmental initiatives. “Purchasing green power is an important component of helping Hotchkiss become more sustainable, but it is just one part of our energy management strategies. We also work to curtail our energy through efficient technology and behavioral changes,attempt to use renewable energy resources when possible, and offset our carbon footprint in ways that are intentionally connected to our curriculum and to the lives of Hotchkiss students.â€

In addition to community initiatives such as a student garden and farm and tray-less dining, Hotchkiss has incorporated green design into its physical architecture. The Esther Eastman Music Center, Flinn and Edelman dormitories and the Monahan Building all have achieved LEED certification, with the Flinn and Edelman dormitories and Monahan renovations earning gold awards.

There is a full list of schools honored by the EPA at epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/top20k-12schools.htm.