The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) awarded Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) the 2026 Climate and Energy Leadership Educational Institutional Sector Award for the division’s geothermal HVAC renovation project at Bel Air Elementary School. The renovation upgraded Bel Air Elementary’s heating and cooling system to geothermal technology. The new system uses the earth’s natural underground temperature through underground wells to help heat and cool the school more efficiently throughout the year. 

This renovation has resulted in a 73% energy usage reduction at the school, transforming Bel Air into one of the division’s most energy-efficient buildings. Since the renovation, Bel Air has seen a substantial reduction in energy expenses, saving the division $125,000 per year in utility costs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

As part of the project, PWCS also connected Bel Air students to hands-on STEM learning through field trips, behind-the-scenes tours of school building systems, and classroom energy demonstrations. Jessica Weimer, energy systems and sustainability supervisor for PWCS, shares more about the project and its impact on future generations.  

“Beyond these operational improvements, Bel Air serves as a living laboratory where 
students can see sustainability in action,” she said “By engaging with real-time building 
performance data, students and teachers can explore how geothermal systems, energy 
efficiency, and resource conservation contribute to a healthier and more sustainable 
school environment. These efforts ensured the Bel Air community benefited not only from the renovation, but through expanded environmental literacy and direct engagement with the project’s outcomes.” 

PWCS was awarded the 2026 Climate and Energy Leadership Educational Institutional Sector Award during the COG Board Meeting on October 14. The COG is an independent, nonprofit association where area leaders address regional issues affecting the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia.