Energy efficiency makes good business sense, especially with rising energy costs and tighter budgets. Consider partnering with other local building owners and managers to take advantage of collective knowledge and resources. In addition, engaging other area businesses, schools, hospitals, government agencies, and other organizations will help the broader community to reduce energy use, thereby contributing to the success of efforts by many local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within their jurisdictions.
Directly following the Mayor's ENERGY STAR kick-off meeting, local commercial real estate associations joined Louisville Metro Government to form the Louisville Energy Alliance 
to help address concerns about rising energy costs and to answer Mayor Abramson's call to promote energy efficiency. Founding members of this public-private partnership include:
This solid working relationship between the key city staff and local building owners and managers is providing community-wide momentum to the city's campaign to promote energy efficiency. In February 2008, Mayor Abramson and the Louisville Energy Alliance hosted a Commercial Real Estate Energy Luncheon, attended by over 100 local building and business professionals, to learn about best practices to save energy and further plan the city's energy efficiency campaign.
On October 1, 2008, the Louisville Energy Alliance launched the Louisville Kilowatt Crackdown, a year-long competition to promote and recognize building energy efficiency. The competition is open to owners and managers of all commercial buildings in the city, including office buildings, small businesses, hotels, healthcare providers, K–12 schools, and colleges and universities.
Modeled after the highly-successful BOMA Seattle/King County Kilowatt Crackdown, this contest allows property managers and building owners in Louisville to demonstrate their leadership in energy-efficient building operations, showcase the most energy-efficient buildings in the market, and share best management practices to eliminate energy waste.
Participants will measure and track their building’s energy performance using EPA’s Portfolio Manager and work to improve performance during the contest period of January 2009–December 2009.
Participants will be recognized in three categories following the first year of the contest:
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