Warren County Public Schools Receives $1.7M in Tax Credits

BOWLING GREEN, KY – Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) recently received $1,736,842 in federal funding through clean energy tax credits for the installation of geothermal HVAC systems at Briarwood Elementary School and their Central Office. As Kentucky's fourth largest and fastest-growing district, WCPS is setting a national standard in sustainable design and energy efficiency.

Home to over 140,000 residents, Bowling Green is projected to grow by an additional 90,000 residents within the next 25 years—a rate that has driven WCPS to take proactive steps to meet the environmental and educational needs of its expanding community. The district, which enrolls around 450 new students every year, is leading the charge in leveraging clean energy tax credits to create healthier learning environments while generating substantial long-term savings.

WCPS has already achieved remarkable success in sustainable design with a district-wide average energy use intensity (EUI) of 24.9—an impressive 39% reduction in energy consumption. This accomplishment positions WCPS as the most energy-efficient school district in the state of Kentucky. In addition to benefiting the environment, this energy efficiency translates directly into cost savings that can be reinvested in student programs, advanced technology, or increased teacher salaries.

Now, WCPS is capitalizing on federal clean energy tax credits to further its mission. These credits, accessible through innovative measures like Elective Pay, enable school districts to convert tax credits into cash reimbursements. By investing in clean energy technologies such as geothermal heat pumps and solar energy, WCPS is poised to not only cut costs but also create state-of-the-art learning environments for students.

“Warren County Public Schools is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to energy efficiency and innovation,” said Chris McIntyre, Warren County Public Schools. “By leveraging clean energy tax credits, we’re not just building better schools for today—we’re creating a sustainable foundation for generations of students to come.”

Warren County partnered with CMTA, an industry-leading MEP engineering and performance contracting firm, to design and install the geothermal systems at both Briarwood Elementary and the Central Office. Learn more about how CMTA helps clients secure alternative project funding for clean energy investments: Project Funding Solutions