The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that Kalama School District is among the 60 Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) selected nationwide to participate in the 2024-2025 Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools (Energy CLASS) program.
The program equips schools across 31 states with the tools and expertise needed to enhance energy efficiency, adopt renewable energy sources, and achieve cost savings. For Kalama School District, this means an opportunity to take concrete steps toward carbon reduction while ensuring that school facilities remain safe, healthy, and efficient learning spaces.
“We are honored to be part of the Energy CLASS program,” said Wesley Benjamin, Kalama School District Superintendent. “By prioritizing energy-efficient practices, we can redirect savings back into classrooms and student services, maximizing the impact of our resources and honoring our responsibility as good financial stewards.”
As a program participant, the district will receive dedicated training and guidance from the New Buildings Institute (NBI) and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), covering topics such as strategic energy management, project development, and funding opportunities.
“I’m really excited to learn about some of the new, innovative practices in energy efficiency so that we can bring them to our campus,“ said Jeff Johnson, Kalama School District’s Director of Facilities. "Being part of a national network of schools focused on sustainability is truly invaluable."
Energy CLASS participants were selected based on submitted applications that demonstrated a dedication to creating impactful or scalable energy plans and sustainability goals that align with the goals of DOE. Kalama School District was the only district from the state of Washington to be selected for the program.
Visit the 2024-2025 Energy CLASS webpage to learn more about the program.