Top North American education institutions named for reducing carbon pollution

MILWAUKEE, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls, the global leader in delivering solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, celebrates Earth Day by releasing its Top Earth Day Champions in Education list to highlight higher education institutions and kindergarten through 12 (K12) grade school districts in North America that saved the carbon equivalent of 91,800 acres of forest through energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at their facilities.

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"Students across North America are celebrating Earth Day with special events and lesson plans," said Dave Myers, president of Johnson Controls Building Efficiency. "Today we celebrate the leaders in K-12 and higher education who teach by example, reducing their facilities' carbon pollution and creating better learning environments for students and staff – all with a strong financial payback for their communities."

Here are the 2013 Top Earth Day Champions in Education and the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emissions they are saving annually through projects with Johnson Controls.

The champions earned a spot on the list by making their educational facilities more efficient using a variety of measures, including utilizing building management systems to optimize energy and operational efficiency, installing renewable energy technology, using more efficient lighting, and updating heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Carbon pollution from building energy use is predicted to grow faster than any other sector in the next 25 years, according to the U.S. Green Building Council, making building efficiency critically important for the protection of the environment.

According to the U.S. National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), colleges and universities annually spend more than $14 billion in operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds, and up to $7 billion on energy and utilities.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that K-12 schools spend more than $8 billion annually on energy, making energy the second highest operating expenditure for schools after personnel. The DOE projects that, on average, green schools save $100,000 per year on operating costs — enough to buy 200 new computers or purchase 5,000 textbooks.

Johnson Controls' energy performance contracting projects have saved nearly 19 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to that saved by 15.5 million acres of forests, and generated savings of $7 billion in North America since 2000. With performance contracting, savings in energy consumption from facility upgrades pay for the project over the term of the contract. If the savings are not realized, Johnson Controls pays the difference between the value of the measured and verified consumption and the guaranteed consumption under the contract.

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About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 168,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2013, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

SOURCE Johnson Controls