University of Texas at Dallas

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools just released its “Best of Green Schools 2011” list recognizing leadership in creating sustainable learning environments.

From K-12 to higher education, the list is comprised of school administrators and government leaders in 10 categories who have demonstrated excellence in a variety of sustainable, cost-cutting measures, including energy conservation, collaborative platforms and policies to green U.S. school infrastructure.

From the press release:

According to published reports, green schools save on average $100,000 per year on operating costs – enough to hire two new teachers, buy 200 new computers, or purchase 5,000 textbooks. On average, green schools use 33 percent less energy and 32 percent less water than conventionally constructed schools, and if all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 billion over the next 10 years.

Check out some of the winners:

Best Moment for the Movement – U.S. Department of Education, Green Ribbon Schools: Green Ribbon Schools is the first comprehensive and coordinated federal initiative to focus on the intersection of environment, health and education.

Best Higher Ed Innovator – University of Texas at Dallas: The University’s new LEED Platinum Student Services Building, which was the recipient of this year’s Innovation in Green Building Award, was designed to improve departmental efficiency and interaction, includes terra-cotta shades on the building’s exterior to provide a unique energy efficient shading strategy and was built $1.1 million under budget.

Best Policy makers – District of Columbia City Council: In May 2010, the Washington, D.C. council unanimously passed the Healthy Schools Act of 2010, building upon the District’s existing LEED Silver requirement and encouraging schools to achieve LEED Gold certification. 2011 updates to the bill included participation in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program, making D.C. the first – before any state – to sign up for the voluntary federal program.

See the full list of winners here!

Learn more about the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), visit here

Learn more about the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council  here