Cecil Scheib, director of advocacy at Urban Green Council, wrote in his blog of the EBie’s Oscar-worthy ceremonies (held at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square) that Thomas stole the show as she described the spirit and great ideas from the Rosa Parks students in creating the retrofits that eventually earned their school this honor. Thomas also accepted the award on behalf of Caroline Kelty, of CMTA Consulting Engineers, who, along with Doug Botkin of the school district’s maintenance division and Fayette County Public Schools energy and sustainability manager Britney Thompson, helped realize the energy-saving initiatives.
The EBies are sponsored by Carrier, a part of UTC Climate, Controls and Security, and hope to highlight the work of all of those behind the scenes who are responsible for major contributions. Building owners get credit, but so too do the building managers, operators, auditors, commissioning agents, lighting designers, plumbing engineers and others that allow conservation initiatives to reach fulfillment.
“My colleagues in the sustainability world have lamented for years that new green buildings, while very important, steal most of the headlines,” said Russell Unger, executive director of the Urban Green Council, “but an equally significant story is all the great work being done in existing buildings.
“Whatever building you live or work in, the EBie winners are proof that you can reduce costs while saving energy and water, and making your building healthier.”
Existing buildings currently account for more than one third of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and 85 percent of the buildings expected to be in use in 2030 already standing, priority has been placed on the proactive retrofitting of these buildings for improved energy efficiency.
