Provided by PWCS
Today in Prince William County, President Joe Biden announced $7 billion in federal grants through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All grant competition, which will deliver residential solar power to hundreds of thousands of households, save millions in electricity costs, and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
PWCS Sustainability Efforts
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) remains committed to sustainability, the environment, and reducing the carbon footprint. PWCS is determined to continue to reduce division wide greenhouse gas emissions year after year. One major step toward reducing carbon is the completion of the first net-zero school in 2025, which will create a balance of greenhouse gases produced and removed from the atmosphere. The school will also feature solar panels, geothermal wells, natural and LED lights.
Solar power systems have been installed at several PWCS schools, leading to significant energy cost savings and a reduction in the division’s greenhouse gas emissions. This school year, PWCS also published a comprehensive environmental literacy plan which directly connects with the student curriculum. This plan will help students develop skills for understanding and addressing environmental issues and practice personal and civic responsibility for environmental decisions.
The division also practices waste reduction and recycling efforts in schools which include water bottle refill stations, recycling bins, and composting at numerous schools. Twelve PWCS schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources as Virginia Naturally Schools, the official environmental education school recognition program. The U.S. Department of Education also awarded PWCS the 2021 Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Award. Additionally, two schools have been recognized as a Green Ribbon School by the Department of Education. PWCS is proud of its sustainable strategies and energy conservation efforts and remains committed to the betterment of the environment.
