Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has been recognized with a state award from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) for outstanding energy conservation efforts.

As winner of MEA’s Rebuild America best energy management plan competition, the school system was honored for its Resource Conservation Plan (RCP). This comprehensive plan for superior energy performance throughout the school system was noted to have clear objectives, specific goals, and an extensive action plan for implementation.

The school system requires all schools to appoint a team captain and file a conservation plan for the school each year. The RCP contains a list of guidelines, and compliance is verified by the Green Schools Focus team, which performs unannounced monthly visits to each school.

MCPS holds numerous events annually for training, motivating, challenging, and rewarding schools for energy conservation. Upcoming events are posted on the Green Schools Focus Web site. Other school systems are welcome to attend these events.

In recognition of its outstanding energy management plan, the MCPS Department of Facilities Management will receive $2,000 and will be given an award this fall at a statewide energy conference. Howard and Frederick counties received honorable mentions in the competition.

More information is available on the state Web site.