Pottsgrove High Takes the LEED in Energy Efficiency

Pottsgrove High School

The Pottsgrove School District is pleased to announce that the High School renovation project, completed in 2017, has achieved gold certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) 2009 Schools rating system. 

The only higher level is platinum .

LEED certification identifies Pottsgrove High School as a showcase example of sustainability and demonstrates leadership in transforming the building industry, according to a release from the district. 

While it will not only save the district (and therefore taxpayers) money in energy costs it's also worth $1 million.

In $2014, the district received a $2 million grant from the Pennsylvania Alternative and Clean Energy

program in anticipation of achieving the standard.

Achieving that standard on the $32 million high school expansion and renovation project, completed last year, meant spending about $1 million in energy efficient equipment like solar panels and water conserving bathroom fixtures and tests, certifications and paperwork.

Had the building not achieved the certification, the district would have had to return the $2 million, as well as being stuck with the additional $1 million of buying the equipment.

According to The Sanatoga Post's coverage Sept. 11 Pottsgrove School Board meeting, the building needed to earn a total of 60 points on the LEED scoring sheet to cross the finish line. 

It received 65.

Mahesh Ramanujam, the President and CEO or the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification, recently presented the certificate to the district.