Energy Management
2024 RCSD Energy Star Schools
We are incredibly proud to announce that 15 out of our 28 schools have earned the prestigious 'Energy Star' designation for superior energy performance. This recognition highlights their commitment to energy efficiency, reducing operational costs, and minimizing their environmental impact. Back in 2010, RCSD was the first district in Mississippi to have three schools receive this honor, and since then, every school in the district has earned it at least once, with many schools earning it multiple years in a row. Thanks to the hard work of our Energy Management Coordinator, Rusty Ponder, and our dedicated team, the district has achieved a cost avoidance of over 4.3 million dollars since the Energy Management Program began in 2006. A special thank you to Brett Rasmussen, Utilities Engineer at Nissan, for his guidance in helping our schools through the certification process.
Rouse Elementary School
StoneBridge Elementary School
Brandon Elementary School
Brandon Middle School
The Learning Center
Steen’s Creek School
Florence Elementary School
Florence Middle School
McLaurin Elementary School
McLaurin High School
Richland Elementary School
Richland Upper Elementary School
Northwest Rankin Elementary School
Northwest Rankin Middle School
Northwest Rankin High School
Rankin County School District Has Energy Stars!
A campaign by the Rankin County School District to reduce energy consumption in its buildings has earned 17 of its 28 schools the prestigious "Energy Star" designation for superior energy performance. RCSD was the first in the state back in 2010, to have three schools receive this prestigious designation.
An ENERGY STAR facility must meet strict performance standards set by the EPA and they use less energy, they are less expensive to operate, and they cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its peers. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building must score in the top 25 percent based on EPA's National Energy Performance Rating System and be certified by a Professional Engineer. Brett Rasmussen, Utilities Engineer with Nissan, acted as a mentor for the schools and has helped with the certification process.
Rusty Ponder, serves as the Energy Management Coordinator for the Rankin County School District, has worked with these schools, and is very proud of the accomplishments they
have made. This past year, 2022, the Rankin County School District achieved a cost avoidance of over 6.5 million since the Energy Management Program started in 2006. Every school in Rankin County School District has earned the award at least once in the past 12 years with most earning it for multiple years in a row.
Florence Middle School - 13 Years
Brandon Elementary School - 12 Years
Pelahatchie Elementary School - 11 Years
Pelahatchie High School - 11 Years
Puckett Elementary School - 10 Years
Puckett High School - 10 Years
Rouse Elementary School - 10 Years
McLaurin Elementary School - 10 Years
McLaurin High School - 10 Years
Flowood Elementary School - 10 Years
Northwest Rankin Elementary School - 9 Years
Florence High School - 9 Years
Richland Elementary School - 9 Years
Richland Upper Elementary School - 9 Years
Steen's Creek Elementary School - 8 Years
StoneBridge Elementary School - 7 Years
Brandon Middle School - 3 Years
MDEQ Recognizes 2023 enHance Members
15th Annual Environmental Stewardship Program Welcomes Two New Members
Jackson, MS- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is recognizing the members of the agency's 2023 enHance Environmental Stewardship program.
MDEQ's en Hance program has awarded thirteen organizations distinction as top environmental leaders during an annual workshop and awards ceremony, hosted by MDEQ and the Mississippi Manufacturers' Association. enHance is a voluntary stewardship program that recognizes committed environmental leaders who accomplish goals beyond the standard regulatory requirements.
The enHance Class of 2023 has two new members and 11 renewing members (see attached en Hance member summaries). The two new members are: Modine CCP (Grenada) and Modine OEM (Grenada). The renewing members are: Advanced Distributor Products LLC (Grenada), Cooper Tire and Rubber Company (Tupelo), Nissan North America, Inc. (Canton), Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc. (Blue Springs), Cooper Tire and Rubber Company (Clarksdale), Eaton Aerospace LLC (Jackson), City of Ridgeland (Ridgeland), US Navy, Naval Construction Battalion Center (Gulfport), Leggett & Platt lnc./Tupelo Sleeper (Tupelo), Rankin County School District and Toyota-Boshoku Mississippi (Mantachie).
"It is an honor to recognize these facilities which are actively working to reduce their wastes and their environmental impacts," said Chris Wells, MDEQ Executive Director. "Each en Hance member is to be commended for efforts that result in both immediate and long-term benefits for Mississippians while also striving for continuous environmental improvements."
enHance members have implemented projects over the history of the program that have resulted in:
- The elimination of over 500,000 pounds of hazardous waste,
- The reduction, reuse or recycling of over 1.5 million tons of solid waste,
- The conservation of more than 300 million gallons of water per year,
- The reduction of more than 6 billion kilowatt hours of annual energy use and over 20 million MMBTUs of total annual energy savings,
- Significant reductions in air emissions, with a CO2 reduction of almost 8 million tons, and a
- Total costs savings of over $9 million.
enHance is a program that is open to manufacturers, local governments, institutions and other eligible organizations. MDEQ will open the application process for the en Hance Class of 2024 in the coming months and interested organizations are invited to apply. More information on MDEQ's en Hance program can be found at enhance.ms.
RCSD Becomes an Associate Member in the MDEQ Enhance Environmental Stewardship Program Class of 2023 program.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality awarded RCSD as an Associate Member in the 2023 Class for the MDEQ Enhance Environmental Stewardship Program. Rusty Ponder accepted the award on behalf of RCSD.
ENERGY STAR Certification Nation
2022 marks the 30th Anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program! To celebrate, we earned ENERGY STAR certification for 18 of our buildings this year—meaning they are among the most energy efficient buildings in the nation. energystar.gov/CertificationNation
Brandon Middle School
Northwest Rankin Elementary School
Flowood Elementary School
Steen's Creek Elementary School
Florence Elementary School
Florence High School
Mclaurin Elementary School
McLaurin High School
Rouse Elementary School
StoneBridge Elementary School
Richland Elementary School
Richland Upper Elementary School
Pelahatchie High School
Pelahatchie Elementary School
Puckett High School
Puckett Elementary School
Brandon Elementary School
Florence Middle School
Energy Right Program Presentation
Central Electric Power Association (CEPA) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) are always looking for ways to partner with our members to bring them low-cost power. The Electrification Program is one example of how CEPA and TVA is able to partner with the Rankin County School District. This program encouraged beneficial electrification that supports the use of more all-electric appliances and equipment and provides users with clean and efficient products. Widespread beneficial electrification reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fosters a more robust and resilient electrical grid. There were five projects in the district that participated in the program: Oakdale Elementary, Northshore Elementary, Highland Bluff Elementary, Pisgah High, and Northwest Rankin High. For a combined total of $343,176.00 for all five projects. The Rankin County School District will receive a check for $281,385.00 for the completion of Northwest Rankin High School. From Central Electric Power Association Mr. Mike Stubbs, Rankin County District Manager and Aaron Akers, Director of Economic & Community Development present the check to the Rankin County School District and representing the district is the Energy Management Coordinator, Rusty Ponder.
RCSD's Energy Star Campaign
A campaign by the Rankin County School District to reduce energy consumption in its buildings has earned 25 of its 28 schools the prestigious “Energy Star” designation for superior energy performance. RCSD was the first in the state back in 2010, to have three schools receive this prestigious designation.
An ENERGY STAR facility must meet strict performance standards set by the EPA and they use less energy, they are less expensive to operate, and they cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its peers. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building must score in the top 25 percent based on EPA's National Energy Performance Rating System and be certified by a Professional Engineer. Brett Rasmussen, Utilities Engineer with Nissan, acted as a mentor for the schools and has helped with the certification process.
Rusty Ponder, serves as the Energy Management Coordinator for the Rankin County School District, has worked with these schools, and is very proud of the accomplishments they have made. This past year, 2018, the Rankin County School District achieved a cost avoidance of $509,345 with a total of over 4.1 million since the Energy Management Program started in 2006.
Every school in Rankin County School District has earned the award at least once in the past 9 years with most earning it for multiple years in a row.
2018 Energy Star Awards Recipients
2 Year Recipients
Brandon Middle School
Brandon High School
4 Year Recipients
Highland Bluff Elementary School
Northwest Rankin Middle School
6 Year Recipients
Rouse Elementary School
StoneBridge Elementary School
Northshore Elementary School
Northwest Rankin Elementary School
Northwest Rankin High School
Steens Creek Elementary School
Florence Elementary School
Florence High School
McLaurin Elementary School
McLaurin High School
Richland Elementary School
Richland Upper Elementary School
Puckett Elementary School
Puckett High School
Pisgah Elementary School
Pisgah High School
8 Year Recipients
Brandon Elementary School
Pelahatchie Elementary School
Pelahatchie High School
9 Year Recipients
Flowood Elementary School
Florence Middle School