All News Releases By Date

EPA Recognizes Prudential Tower with ENERGY STAR Label

Release Date: 07/29/2009
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1010

(Boston, Mass. – July 29, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded Boston’s landmark Prudential Tower with an ENERGY STAR label for superior energy performance.

“Companies like Boston Properties are getting it right,” said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator for EPA New England. “They’re taking environmental conservation seriously – to the benefit of the environment and the bottom line.”

Owned by Boston Properties, the 52-story Prudential Tower was built in 1965 and renovated in 1993 and 2008. The building earned the ENERGY STAR as the result of efforts taken in the design, commissioning, and operation of this facility. These efforts include:

-- Upgrading the building automation system to the latest version of the Andover Continuum, a Web-based, state-of-the-art control system.
-- Implementing demand-side ventilation.
-- Retrofitting lighting in common areas using T-8 lighting with electronic ballasts.
-- Replacing the original steam turbine-driven chillers with high-efficiency variable speed/flow electric-driven chillers.
-- Installing a variable frequency drive on chilled and condenser water pumps, cooling tower fans, and air handling units.
-- Retrofitting bathrooms with high-efficiency flush valves, faucets, and fixtures.

"Energy efficiency is the quickest, most economical, and cleanest way to cut our energy costs, and expanding efficiency programs is a cornerstone of the Patrick Administration's plan for a clean energy future" said David Cash, Assistant secretary for Policy in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. "On behalf of the Commonwealth, I would like to congratulate Boston Properties and the Prudential Tower for taking steps that reduce environmental impacts and help us reach our clean energy goals."

Boston Properties also has two other ENERGY STAR labeled buildings within Prudential Center, 111 Huntington Avenue and 101 Huntington Avenue. The Prudential Tower’s recent designation means that 100% of the 2.6 million square feet of office space at Prudential Center is now ENERGY STAR labeled. Boston Properties now has well over 3.8 million square feet of ENERGY STAR - labeled office space in the state.

"Achieving Energy Star recognizes these buildings as the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide for energy performance. Constructing and operating energy efficient buildings is a key component of Boston Properties' ongoing sustainability strategy," said Bryan Koop, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for the Boston Properties Boston Portfolio. "Our long-term ownership strategy matches well with Energy Star type operations while also having a positive impact on the environment and climate change mitigation."

"The City of Boston has been at the forefront of green building development and efficiency," said James W. Hunt, Boston's Chief of Environment and Energy. "Today, the Pru stands tall as a shining example of what the promise of energy efficiency holds for our society - reducing operating costs while improving our environment. I congratulate Boston Properties for this recognition by EPA, and applaud their contiuned partnership in making Boston one of the greenest cities
in the U.S."

For additional information on these buildings, visit:

101 Huntington Ave - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.showProfile&profile_id=1007073

111 Huntington Ave - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.showProfile&profile_id=1000182

Prudential Tower - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.showProfile&profile_id=1007072

Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved more than $19 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of 29 million vehicles.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introduced ENERGY STAR in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 15,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

# # #