ENERGY STAR News:
Business and Industry Edition

Fall 2008

Choose an article

• Bring Your Green to Work with ENERGY STAR
• Small Businesses and Congregations Fight Climate Change through Energy Efficiency and Innovation
• Embassy of Finland First to Earn the ENERGY STAR
• Campaign Update: Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR
• Louisville Challenges Community to Improve Energy Efficiency
• New Graphic Available for Display on ENERGY STAR Qualified Buildings & Facilities

Bring Your Green to Work with ENERGY STAR

New ENERGY STAR @ work Tool Provides Employees with Workplace Energy Saving Tips

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages everyone to "Bring Your Green to Work with ENERGY STAR." In September, EPA unveiled a new online tool, ENERGY STAR @ work, which provides tips and information on how to save energy and protect the environment by taking simple steps in the workplace. Energy used in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants accounts for nearly half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 50 percent of energy consumption nationwide. With workers spending an average of almost 8 hours a day on the job, the workplace offers an ideal opportunity for people to make a significant impact in the fight against global warming.

ENERGY STAR @ work is an animated, interactive image of a typical office workspace. By clicking on stars around the office, visitors open tips and links to information they can use to be more energy efficient every day — from using a power strip as a central turnoff point for personal electronics to starting a Green Team at work. Simple actions taken by employees can make a big difference in the overall energy performance of a building.

In addition to the ENERGY STAR @ work tool, EPA's new Bring Your Green to Work with ENERGY STAR Web site offers energy-saving tips for building managers, executives, and small business owners; information on taking the ENERGY STAR Challenge; and a downloadable tip card to pass along to coworkers. Employees at every level of an organization — from entry level to corner office — can make a difference, and ENERGY STAR @ work can help.

The site also features five ENERGY STAR partners that are doing their part to make a difference in the fight against global warming. Giant Eagle, Gresham-Barlow School District, JCPenney, Marriott, and Raytheon have empowered their employees to help green their organizations by participating in activities such as compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) giveaways or celebrations for Earth Day and Energy Awareness Month. These partners represent thousands of ENERGY STAR partner organizations across the country that are working with EPA to improve the energy performance of the buildings where we work, shop, play, and learn.

To take a tour of ENERGY STAR @ work, visit www.energystar.gov/work.

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Small Businesses and Congregations Fight Climate Change through Energy Efficiency and Innovation

EPA Names 13 New ENERGY STAR Winners

In September, EPA named the 13 winners of the 2008 ENERGY STAR Small Business and Congregation Awards. This year's winners are recognized for doing their part to save energy and fight climate change through effective energy management practices and innovative efficiency solutions.

Together, these award winning organizations reduced annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 860 tons, equivalent to the CO2 emissions from the average electricity use of more than 100 homes for one year. The winners also demonstrated that improving energy efficiency is an effective low-cost solution, even in the face of significantly expanded business operations. Financial savings for this year's winners totaled more than $160,000 in annual energy costs.

The energy saving efforts of the winners include lighting upgrades, improved insulation and air sealing, installation of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and equipment, installation of solar arrays, and new energy-efficient construction. Strategic operations and maintenance efforts, as well as education and outreach, were also fundamental to the success of this year's winners.

Small businesses and congregations can cut utility costs by 25 percent or more without sacrificing features, convenience, style or comfort while making significant contributions to a cleaner environment by strategically managing the energy performance of their facilities.

The 10 small business winners include:
Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness , Albany, NY
Evelyn Hill, Inc. , New York City, NY
FXFOWLE , New York City, NY
Hand Motors , Manchester Center, VT
Johnson Braund Design Group , Seattle, WA
Lambert Auto Sales , Claremont, NH
Long Island Village Realty , Syosset, NY
National Benefit Service Center , Inc. (DBA City Java), Orlando, FL
Pine Forest Camp , Greely, PA
Priority Communications , DuBois, PA

The three congregation winners include:
Congregation Or Shalom , Orange, CT
Dennis Union Church , Dennis, MA
Sparks United Methodist Church , Sparks, NV

To learn more about the 2008 ENERGY STAR Small Business Award winners and to view the interactive map, visit: www.energystar.gov/SmallBizAwards

To learn more about the 2008 ENERGY STAR Congregation Award winners and to view the interactive map, visit: www.energystar.gov/CongregationAwards

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Embassy of Finland First to Earn the ENERGY STAR

EPA and Finland Recognize Achievement with Event in Washington, DC

For the first time, EPA has recognized an embassy as an ENERGY STAR qualified building. On Sept. 16, 2008, EPA and staff from the Embassy of Finland gathered to celebrate the Embassy's important achievement of earning the ENERGY STAR. At the celebration at the Embassy of Finland, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson congratulated the Ambassador of Finland, Mr. Pekka Lintu, and presented the ENERGY STAR plaque.

"EPA applauds the Embassy of Finland for earning EPA's ENERGY STAR label," said Johnson. "Whether you are running a business, a school, or an embassy, getting the most out of your energy dollars just makes sense."

Ambassador Lintu also noted the importance of the achievement.

"I am proud that the Finnish Embassy is the first embassy in Washington, DC, to receive this acknowledgement," said Ambassador Lintu. "We are here as guests of the American people, and our duty is to actively partner in protecting the local community. With this achievement, we seek to both minimize our environmental impact as well as increase awareness of energy issues among Washington's vast diplomatic community."

During the recognition event, the Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, Pekka Sauri, and the Director of the Washington, DC, Department of the Environment, George Hawkins, also discussed the importance of energy efficiency and green buildings. Other guests included building managers, owners, and executive level partners active with ENERGY STAR from the Washington region, as well government officials and dignitaries.

The Embassy of Finland earned the ENERGY STAR by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to its building. The Embassy has taken energy-efficient steps such as introducing a free-cooling system, which has cut the electricity used for cooling in half, and optimizing the operation of the building's energy systems. These steps helped the Embassy reduce its electricity costs by 50 percent and heating costs by 65 percent. The Embassy has saved more than $150,000 in annual energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the electricity used by 90 households annually.

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Campaign Update: Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR

Encourage Your Organization to Become an ENERGY STAR Pledge Driver

On October 1, people across the country celebrated Change a Light Day. This special day reminds individuals of the small changes we can all make at home and at work to save energy, save money, and help fight global warming, such as changing incandescent light bulbs to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs.

Many organizations are dedicated to improving the energy performance of the places where we work, shop, play and learn. To step up your efforts, consider joining the EPA's Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign, and encourage your colleagues to take the ENERGY STAR Pledge. By promoting the pledge, your organization can take part in an important movement, measure and promote your own pledge savings, and help your colleagues do their part to fight global warming. The pledge includes simple everyday actions — such as enabling your computer to power down when not in use, installing and using a programmable thermostat correctly with pre-programmed settings, and choosing products that have earned the ENERGY STAR — that can save your organization money on utility bills, and help employees save money when they do them at home.

Here's how you can participate: Register your organization online as a Change the World pledge driver. You will receive personalized Web links that enable you to get credit for your group's pledges and track your progress in helping individuals reduce the amount of their greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient products and practices. Pre-printed and customizable campaign materials are available to help you invite your community to take the pledge. You'll also have access to a number of resources to promote your energy and environmental savings both to your community and the media.

Besides joining as a pledge driver, you can also collect stories of energy efficiency successes from your employees and share those stories with EPA to help inspire other Americans to take the pledge. Join EPA today in demonstrating our collective contribution to this vital national movement.

Go to www.energystar.gov/changetheworld and click on "For Participating Organizations."

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Louisville Challenges Community to Improve Energy Efficiency

City Launches Competition for Commercial Buildings

Louisville, KY, is one of many communities around the nation using the ENERGY STAR Challenge as a platform for improving energy efficiency and fighting global warming. Led by Mayor Jerry E. Abramson, the city teamed up with the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence and local commercial real estate associations* to launch the Louisville Kilowatt Crackdown on October 1. (Learn more about the Louisville Energy Alliance Kilowatt Crackdown at www.louisvilleenergyalliance.com .) The Crackdown is a competition designed to promote the benefits of energy efficiency in commercial buildings throughout the community. All participants will measure and track their energy use using Portfolio Manager, EPA's no-cost tool for managing energy and water use.

Based on benchmarking results from Portfolio Manager, the city will offer a variety of awards for participants, including "Most Efficient Building," "Greatest Improvement in Energy Efficiency," and the "Kilowatt Cup," which will be awarded by a jury for superior achievements in energy management. Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR, by achieving an energy performance rating of 75 or better out of 100 in Portfolio Manager, will receive special recognition from Mayor Abramson and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.

"It's clearer than ever before that becoming more energy efficient is more than an environmental responsibility," said Mayor Abramson. "It's a fiscal responsibility, too. We're 'going green' to 'save green' and we expect many businesses in our community will be excited to join us in that endeavor."

The city's progress will be chronicled on EPA's new Bring the ENERGY STAR Challenge to Your Community Web site. Local governments, membership organizations, and others can visit the Web site to learn about employing ENERGY STAR tools and resources in energy improvement efforts and follow along with Louisville each step of the way. Sample campaign materials, such as Louisville's ENERGY STAR kick-off invitations, meeting agendas, and presentations are available on the site for real-world examples of a community active in the fight against global warming.

*Founding members of the Louisville Energy Alliance include Louisville Metro Government; Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence; Building Owner and Managers Association (BOMA), Louisville; The Greater Louisville Chapter of International Facility Management Association (IFMA); Kentucky Chapter, Certified Commercial Investment Managers (CCIM); Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Kentucky Chapter; and Louisville Chapter, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

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New Graphic Available for Display on ENERGY STAR Qualified Buildings & Facilities

Decals, Flags, and Banners Offer New Ways to Promote ENERGY STAR Status

As the number of commercial and industrial facilities that have earned the ENERGY STAR has skyrocketed in recent years, so has the demand for creative ways to publicly identify those buildings, plants, and facilities that have earned the prestigious ENERGY STAR for superior energy efficiency.

In response, EPA is pleased to provide a new graphic design that can be used to make decals, flags, and banners for qualified buildings, facilities, and plants in 2008 and beyond. This new design can be used for facilities with multiple entrances that visitors and employees may use. Decals can also be affixed to windows at or near other entrances. Qualified plants, facilities, or buildings can proudly fly the ENERGY STAR flag. Any qualified facility can also mount banners on lobby walls, above loading docks, or in staff meeting areas.

Owners, managers, and operators of ENERGY STAR qualified buildings, plants, and facilities receive access to the downloadable, printer-ready files as well as easy-to-use printing instructions for the decals, flags, and banners when applications for ENERGY STAR qualified facilities are approved by EPA. EPA will also update the graphic files annually.

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