THREE STATE BUILDINGS RECEIVE EPA'S ENERGY STAR AWARDS
Energy-efficient buildings recognized for reducing costs, energy consumption
For Immediate Release: May 1, 2007
HONOLULU – Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. today presented U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR awards to Chief Justice Ronald Moon and State Comptroller Russ Saito for energy efficient buildings.
Three State buildings were certified this year under the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. The State Department of Accounting & General Services (DAGS) designed the buildings and won the right to display certification plaques on each building.
Two buildings, the Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building (State Office Tower) and Abner Paki Hale Courthouse (Ko‘olaupoko District Courthouse) are being certified for the first time. The Kakuhihewa Building (Kapolei State Building), first certified in 2006, has been re-certified in 2007.
“This is an important step forward in the State’s continuing effort to lead by example in energy conservation,” said Lt Governor Aiona. “It also reflects a commitment to protecting the environment and reducing costs through energy-efficient building practices and products.”
Sixteen buildings in Hawai‘i have been certified by the EPA as ENERGY STAR compliant. Three of those are designed and managed by the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS).
“Credit for this important recognition must be given to our outstanding building design and maintenance staff,” said State Comptroller Saito. “They are part of a team of very able state workers who have risen to the challenge of reducing energy consumption through both the design and maintenance of our state buildings.”
Hawai‘i joined the EPA Energy Star Challenge in October 2005. The goal of this program is to identify buildings in which financially attractive improvements can reduce energy use by 10 percent and then to make the improvements through low-cost building tune-ups, lighting upgrades, and replacement of old equipment.
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to protect the environment and reduce costs through energy efficient products and practices. ENERGY STAR certified buildings rank in the top quartile of an EPA performance rating system calculated from actual energy use.
To qualify for ENERGY STAR, buildings must demonstrate superior energy efficiency and must also be professionally verified to meet current indoor environmental standards. Hawai‘i was recently ranked fifth by the U.S. EPA among U.S. states for energy efficiency cost savings in buildings.
###
For more information, contact:
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
