LEWISTON – Seven school systems in Maine are getting high marks for efforts to improve energy-efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The systems honored Friday by the Department of Environmental Protection include Lewiston, Bath, Farmington, Thorndike, Vinalhaven, Rockland and Raymond.

The schools are the first in the state to complete a baseline assessment of their greenhouse gas emissions.

The voluntary project is intended to pave the way for energy-efficiency measures that can cut energy costs and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.