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Rep. Bud Cook (R-Greene/Washington) and Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Greene/Washington/Beaver) together congratulated the California Area School District for being named a recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence as selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The submission that got the school the recognition is an outdoor science school complete with an apiary, yurts for outdoor education and advanced programs in which students can participate. One program highlighted was a student-led energy study, which identified strategies to reduce energy costs that were then implemented based on student findings.

“Students are our future, and the California Area School District is helping them move forward with real-world skills and experiences,” Cook said. “Congratulations to them on this prestigious recognition.”

“Involving students gives them the tools to understand the economic impact of their choices—both now and in the future,” Bartolotta said. “I’m proud that the DEP recognized this valuable partnership by selecting California Area School District for the award. This project is a smart, forward-thinking investment that shows how responsible energy use can reduce costs.”

The district also recently received money to invest through the Solar for Schools Grant Program.

“In addition to coal, oil and natural gas, solar can be a reliable energy source,” Cook said. “Giving students the chance to explore these options in a real-world setting is how we set them up for success.”

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