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New Mexico buildings powering Energy Star savings

Release Date: 02/07/2007
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or [email protected]

(Dallas, Texas – February 7, 2007)  A total of six top performing New Mexico buildings have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR for powerful cuts to their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.  

These award-winning buildings represent more than 1.9 million square feet, save an estimated $350,000 annually in lower energy bills, and prevent more than 5 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equal to emissions of more than 400 vehicles.

“New Mexico is leading the way by building better buildings that provide a better environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene.  “By joining America’s Energy Star program, New Mexicans save money and do their part in protecting the environment.”

The New Mexico buildings are among more than 3,200 top performing buildings that earned the Energy Star in 2006.  Nationally, these include about 320 supermarkets, 320 office buildings, and 200 K-12 schools.  Almost 90 banks, courthouses, financial centers, hospitals, hotels, and — for the first time — dormitories also earned the Energy Star, the most recognized national symbol for energy efficiency.  

America’s desire for environmentally friendly buildings is growing, and superior energy efficiency — identified by the Energy Star — is a critical element of green building.  Buildings that earn the Energy Star are the top performers for energy efficiency nationwide.  In fact, buildings that earn the Energy Star use about 35 percent less energy than average buildings.  Moreover, about 400 Energy Star buildings use 50 percent less energy than average buildings.  

Commercial buildings account for almost 18 percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.  Building owners earn the Energy Star by scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA’s energy performance rating system, which calculates scores based on actual energy use.  With interest in energy efficiency growing, Energy Star offers easy-to-use tools and guidelines that can help building owners and managers in the United States realize significant energy and dollar savings.

EPA started the Energy Star program in 1992.  Energy Star is a government-backed program that helps businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.  Last year alone, American consumers and businesses, with the help of Energy Star, saved $12 billion and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from 23 million vehicles.

The complete list of New Mexico buildings is available at www.epa.gov/region6

For more information on Energy Star go to: www.energystar.gov