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EPA Administrator and San Juan Mayor Sign Agreement to Promote the Purchase of Energy Efficient Products throughout the City Government

Release Date: 12/12/2002
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(#02133) SAN JUAN, P.R. – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman and San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recognizing the importance of using energy efficient products that carry the EPA Energy Star label. Through the MOU, EPA and the city of San Juan agree to educate consumers about the benefits of energy star products and will take steps to encourage all areas of the city government to improve their energy efficiency through the purchase of qualified products where available. Increasing the supply and demand for Energy Star products by educating consumers, government agencies and private business is the most effective way to voluntarily save energy and reduce pollution, while saving consumers money on energy bills. Energy Star is a voluntary program that labels energy efficient products and provides consumers with the information they need to make wise environmental and economic decisions. In addition to signing the agreement, EPA Administrator and the Mayor of San Juan walked through the Plaza Las Americas mall and commented on how readily available Energy Star products are to the average consumer. “A person can quite literally walk into any electronics or appliance store today and see EPA’s Energy Star label,” said Administrator Whitman. “There are more than 13,000 products in over 35 product categories which, last year alone, saved Americans $6 billion dollars on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gases in an amount equivalent to taking 12 million cars off the road.” “We will work with EPA to help promote Energy Star throughout the city of San Juan and encourage energy efficiency at all levels,” said Mayor Jorge Santini. EPA REGION 2 – Caribbean Environmental Protection Division, Brenda Reyes, 787-977-5801 EPA– Headquarters, Lina Younes, 202-569-008