News Release

EPA AND DOE NAME THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ENERGY STAR 2003 Award Winner
HUD earns award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency

Washington D.C. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have named the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a leader in energy efficiency. Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research Alberto F. Trevino accepted the award on behalf of HUD, at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 15th, 2003. As a partner in the ENERGY STAR program, HUD is making an outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by bringing ENERGY STAR to its programs and communities. HUD's work was recognized.

HUD is being honored for its efforts to promote ENERGY STAR qualified products, appliances and homes throughout its many programs. In any single year, HUD assists more than five million renters and homeowners through its various programs. This is approximately five percent of all housing. HUD spends an estimated $4 billion each year on energy on behalf of renters and homeowners.

HUD is promoting the purchase of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances by the nation's housing authorities, and in HUD's inventory of privately owned assisted housing. HUD is also promoting the construction of new ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

In 2001 alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved enough energy to power 10 million homes and reduce the air pollution equivalent to taking 12 million cars off the road -- all while saving $6 billion.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is pleased to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to promote ENERGY STAR said Alberto Trevino. "By working with ENERGY STAR program, we have been able to offer our housing community affordable and energy-efficient options that save money while protecting the environment."

The ENERGY STAR Award is given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. These Award Winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

"HUD's effort to promote ENERGY STAR will benefit its affordable housing community by lowering energy bills and providing more comfortable housing to this important housing market." said Kathleen Hogan, director of EPA's Climate Protection Partnerships Division. "We are lucky to have HUD delivering ENERGY STAR resources to help improve communities.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 7,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information, visit ENERGY STAR or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

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