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California leads nation in Energy Star program

Release Date: 02/07/2007
Contact Information: Wendy Chavez, 415/947-4248

(02/07/07) SAN FRANCISCO – Recent data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington DC reveals that California leads the nation in the number of Energy Star buildings nationwide, as well as in energy cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the program.

California boasts 779 Energy Star buildings, with the largest concentrations in the Bay Area, the Los Angeles area and San Diego. Texas and North Carolina round out the top three, with 367 and 306, respectively.

California also led the nation with more then 1.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions saved annually and with $149 million in energy savings.

“California demonstrates its leadership in addressing energy and air quality issues through the adoption of innovative and practical approaches such as Energy Star,” said Wayne Nastri, administrator of the U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office in San Francisco. “Energy Star offers easy-to-use tools and guidelines that can help building owners and managers throughout the United States realize significant energy and dollar savings.”

Commercial buildings account for almost 18 percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Building owners earn the Energy Star scoring in the top 25 percent on the EPA’s energy performance rating system, which calculates scores based on actual energy use.

To qualify for Energy Star, buildings must demonstrate superior energy efficiency and must also be professionally verified to meet current indoor environment standards.

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.

Nationwide, the top performing buildings that earned the Energy Star in 2006 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.

The 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.

For the complete list of buildings, by state, go to:
http://www.energystar.gov/labeledbuildings

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

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