The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
This year, Wisconsin saw a record number of school referendums – a clear sign that districts across the state are struggling to keep up with rising costs for building maintenance, upgrades, and energy. Keeping classrooms warm in the winter, the lights on after dark, and computers running throughout the day takes energy – and that energy costs money. As taxpayers are asked to dig deeper to support their local schools, it’s more important than ever that districts have the right tools to use each dollar wisely. One of the most effective tools we have – especially for managing energy costs – is now under threat: the federal Energy Star program.
The federal government is considering cutting or eliminating Energy Star, and that would be a costly mistake – especially for the rural communities CESA 10’s Facilities Management team and I work with each day in throughout the state.
While many people think of Energy Star as a sticker on appliances, it is much more than that for the hundreds of public school districts across Wisconsin – and thousands across the nation. EnergyStar provides the essential tools to navigate energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and save taxpayer dollars.
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The Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) is one of the only free, publicly accessible tools available to track and benchmark school building energy performance. This comprehensive tool allows districts to compare their schools’ energy use with similar buildings nationwide, adjust for weather patterns, and identify increases in energy usage that may signal equipment failures or inefficiencies. Without this resource, many schools would be left in the dark when it comes to energyusage or forced to rely on expensive private software resulting in making budget decisions without the full picture.
Thanks to ESPM, schools can also earn recognition when they’re performing well. Buildings that score over 75 are eligible for Energy Star certification – a visible symbol of good stewardship that shows communities their schools are being run efficiently. It’s a badge of pride that reflects real savings for taxpayers.
CESA 10’s Facilities Management team understands firsthand the impact of ESPM. In 2006 and again in 2018, 1,200 school buildings across Wisconsin were benchmarked, helping school administrators visualize their energy usage and make smarter decisions. Schools now manage their own data through ESPM, empowering local action and accountability. These insights aren’t just about saving energy—they’re about saving money and ensuring that schools keep operating costs down so more money can go where it belongs: into classrooms, teachers, and student resources.
ESPM also tracks weather-normalized savings and shows schools their ability to reduce their energyintensity year-over-year. These savings aren’t hypothetical; they’re verified and tangible. Many districts have qualified for rebates and incentives based on their performance – money that can be reinvested into facility improvements or educational resources.
Energy Star’s influence even extends to purchasing decisions. When recommending lighting upgrades, we rely on Energy Star’s qualified products lists to ensure that the bulbs and fixtures installed meet rigorous efficiency standards to ensure schools get long-lasting, energy-efficient products that won’t need constant replacement. These high-quality products help schools save money.
For rural and underfunded districts, these free, trusted resources can mean the difference between a quick fix and a long-term solution, and every dollar spent on inefficient buildings is a dollar not spent on students. Losing Energy Star would put more pressure on local property taxes, make utility bills higher, and force schools to make tough decisions that could impact educational quality.
The decision to potentially defund or dismantle Energy Star isn’t just a bureaucratic change – it’s a blow to the progress schools have made toward sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and transparency.
If Energy Star goes away, all of this becomes harder and more expensive. Schools would lose a free, effective tool for managing their utility costs. Taxpayer-funded upgrades might no longer qualify for incentives. And without reliable data, it becomes much tougher to justify big improvements to school boards or the community.
We urge community members, school board members, and state and federal representatives: don’t let this essential program slip away. Speak up. Contact your lawmakers and tell them Energy Star is too important to rural schools – and rural taxpayers – to lose. With every school building that runs more efficiently, there’s more money for education and a brighter future for our children.
Let’s protect a program that protects our dollars and our future.
Heather Feigum is the executive director of Facilities Management at CESA 10 & Program Manager for Focus on Energy, based in Chippewa Falls.
