Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NATCHEZ — Congressman Bennie Thompson announced that Natchez Adams School District with 23 other K-12 educational systems would be awarded $50,000 for outstanding achievements in building and implementing sustainable clean energy improvements.

Natchez Adams School District has been recognized for its outstanding achievements in the Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools Prize (Energy CLASS Prize), Congressman Thompson said.

“I am incredibly proud of the Natchez Adams School District for their dedication and success in the Energy CLASS Prize,” he said. “Their commitment to improving energy efficiency and creating healthier learning environments exemplifies the positive impact that thoughtful, sustainable initiatives can have on our schools and communities. The additional funding awarded today will further support these vital projects, ensuring that our students and teachers benefit from safer and more sustainable facilities. Congratulations to Natchez Adams School District for leading the way in energy management and sustainability.”

NASD Superintendent Zandra McDonald-Green shared the district’s excitement for receiving the recognition on Thursday.

“Natchez-Adams School District is elated to be recognized for our participation in and awarding of the Energy CLASS prize,” she said. “During Phase 1, the district ensured that key employees were trained on energy conservation and implementing energy efficiency initiatives throughout the district. The district was recognized because employees attended all of the required training, funds were used to further advance the district’s efforts for energy conservation, and we were able to combine our training and resources to improve our school environments.”

School districts celebrated their energy successes over the past year in a virtual graduation ceremony held by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools program and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

This initiative focused on capacity building and implementing critical clean energy and health improvements in high-need K-12 school districts. By providing live trainings, coaching, and a cash prize to each local educational agency, the program enabled school districts to lead their own projects to assess energy use, boost energy efficiency, and update facility infrastructure, creating healthier and more sustainable learning environments.

To kick off the ceremony, Ms. Keishaa Austin, Acting Principal Deputy Director of the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), announced that 23 educational agencies, including Natchez Adams School District, would be awarded $50,000 for their achievements in Phase 2. This additional funding will enable these school districts to continue investing in energy infrastructure projects that reduce utility costs and create healthier learning environments for students and teachers.

Green added Phase 2 funds will be used “to continue our efforts at energy efficiency initiatives throughout the district.”