(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT — Oct. 16, 2026) — El Paso ISD is taking a long-term approach to energy efficiency and sustainability, with a plan designed to keep students safe, cool and healthy while reducing operational costs and expanding the district's use of clean energy.

The district's Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Plan builds on a resolution approved by the El Paso ISD Board of Trustees in April that reaffirmed the district's commitment to saving energy, reducing costs and promoting long-term sustainability.

The plan brings together efforts across construction, energy management, transportation, grounds, food and nutrition, and maintenance and custodial operations.

“Sustainability is about more than reducing our energy consumption. It’s about creating healthier, more comfortable learning environments for our students while being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us,” said David Bates, Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Support Systems. “This plan gives us a roadmap for making thoughtful investments today that can improve our schools and reduce costs for years to come.”

One of the plan's long-term goals is to move toward net-zero-ready schools for new construction and major renovations by 2036. New schools and major renovations will incorporate high-performance building standards, including energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting and building automation.

The district is also evaluating solar opportunities and plans to upgrade outdated building-control systems and improve water efficiency at facilities. El Paso ISD is working toward converting evaporative cooling systems to refrigerated air by 2028, improving both campus comfort and efficiency.

“Our goal is to make sustainability part of how we design, operate and improve our schools,” said Ragip Prakash, El Paso ISD Energy Manager. “By using data to identify opportunities, improving building systems and evaluating renewable energy options, we can make investments that benefit our students and our district for the long term.”

El Paso ISD’s energy-management efforts are already producing measurable results.

During the third quarter, the district's electricity costs decreased 22%, from approximately $1.86 million in fiscal year 2024-25 to approximately $1.67 million in fiscal year 2025-26, even as electricity usage increased by about 1%.

Natural gas usage decreased 24%, while natural gas costs declined 37% during the same period.

El Paso ISD is also expanding its participation in renewable energy programs. Ten campuses currently participate in the Texas Business Solar Program, which generated more than $44,000 in combined savings for participating district facilities between December 2025 and May 2026.

The plan extends beyond energy use.

The district is evaluating recycling programs and more sustainable cafeteria materials, exploring lower-emission transportation options and electric-vehicle charging opportunities, and prioritizing drought-tolerant and regionally appropriate landscaping to help conserve water.

The district's maintenance and custodial operations are also incorporating environmentally responsible practices. Approximately 445 custodians receive in-house safety and cleaning training each year, while El Paso ISD uses cleaning technology and products designed to reduce chemical and water use.

At its core, the plan is about connecting sustainability to the district's responsibility to its students and community.

“We want our students to learn in schools that are safe, healthy and comfortable, and we also want to make responsible decisions about the resources we use to operate those schools,” Bates said. “Energy efficiency and sustainability allow us to work toward both goals at the same time.”