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2006 News Archive

US and the European Union renew ENERGY STAR Agreement (December 2006)

The US and the European Community have agreed to renew their agreement on the energy efficiency labeling of office equipment products using EPA’s ENERGY STAR. The Agreement continues to cover office equipment including computers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners, with other products possibly added in future years.

the ENERGY STAR/EU signing ceremony

Photograph from the ENERGY STAR/EU signing ceremony. Left to right: The Honorable Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of Finland to the United States, The Honorable John Bruton, European Union Ambassador to the United States, Marcus Peacock, EPA Deputy Administrator

High-resolution image (3235 pixels wide, 1.30MB)

Forty Organizations Rally to Meet the ENERGY STAR Building Challenge (November 2006)

Organizations across the country are rising to the challenge to reduce the energy they use, save money, and help the environment. As part of the ENERGY STAR Building Challenge, 20 new organizations joined 20 others recognized by EPA as ENERGY STAR Leaders for improving the efficiency of buildings by 10 percent or more.

Stay Warm this Winter with ENERGY STAR (November 2006)

The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, much of which goes to heating and cooling. By following EPA's recommendations for home energy efficiency, consumers can save more than 30 percent, or about $600.

Partnership for Home Energy Report (October 2006)

The Federal government released its first Partnership for Home Energy Efficiency (PHEE) Report announcing progress helping Americans improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The energy efficiency of more than 325,000 American homes and apartment units was improved through better building techniques and energy efficiency improvements, saving close to $150 million dollars in 2005, under programs sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ENERGY STAR Annual Report Released — Americans saved $12 billion in 2005 (October 2006)

EPA recently released its annual report summarizing the success of ENERGY STAR and other voluntary climate protection programs. The report summarizes the accomplishments of these programs for 2005. For example, Americans, with the help of the ENERGY STAR, avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million automobiles — up from 20 million in 2004 — while saving $12 billion on their energy bills.

EPA Issues New Computer Efficiency Requirements (October 2006)

EPA announced the new specifications for computers and related equipment today. On average, ENERGY STAR qualifying computer equipment will be 65 percent more efficient than conventional models. Helping to drive these savings will be requirements for improved efficiency across all modes of a computer's operation, and inclusion of highly efficient internal and external power supplies. These new specifications are expected to save U.S. households and businesses more than $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next five years and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual emissions of 2.7 million cars. The new specifications go into effect on July 20, 2007.

October kicks off National ENERGY STAR Change A Light Campaign (October 2006)

Americans are being asked to take one small step that will protect the environment, save energy, and save money. Americans are encouraged to replace one light in their home with one that has earned the government’s ENERGY STAR. ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs and fixtures use one-third the energy of traditional models, last up to 10 times longer and reduce utility costs. In fact, consumers can save up to $30 in utility costs over the lifetime of one bulb. Replacing the most frequently used lights at home will yield the most savings.

2006 ENERGY STAR Awards for Small Business and Congregations (Sept 2006)

EPA is recognizing eight small businesses and two congregations for their energy-efficiency operations that prevented over 1 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and saved $66,000 in annual utility costs. The agency gives ENERGY STAR awards to small businesses and congregations, institutions and associations that promote energy efficiency in their facilities.

ENERGY STAR Awarded for First Time to U.S. Manufacturing Plants (Sept 2006)

For the first time the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded 17 U.S. manufacturing plants with the ENERGY STAR recognition for their superior energy efficiency. The plants represent 6 percent of cement production capacity, 7 percent of wet corn milling capacity, and 23 percent of auto assembly capacity and are preventing almost 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to those from powering over 100,000 single family homes, relative to typical plants.

Rebuilt Vending Machines can now earn the ENERGY STAR (September 2006)

The ENERGY STAR label for refrigerated vending machines is now available to the thousands of vending machines rebuilt and re-installed each year. More than 3 million refrigerated beverage vending machines are installed and operating within the U.S. These machines typically run 24 hours a day and collectively consume more than 10 billion kWh/year. The addition of rebuilt machines to the ENERGY STAR refrigerated beverage vending machine specification is projected to save end users more than $2 million the first year. Over the next five years, the specification will save almost $40 million and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of more than 50,000 cars.

EPA Sets Energy Performance Indicators for Cement Manufacturers & Corn Refiners (August 2006)

EPA, working with industry, has developed plant energy performance indicators for cement manufacturers and corn refiners. These performance indicators benchmark an entire plant’s energy use, a critical step in strategic energy management. The indicators enable companies to determine how efficiently each plant is using energy as compared to the industry as a whole, and whether better energy performance could be expected. U.S. cement manufacturers and corn refiners spend more than $2 billion annually for 626 trillion Btus of energy. If energy use for both of these industries was reduced by three percent, the energy saved could produce electricity for 187,000 households preventing the emissions of more than 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gases.

American Society for Healthcare Engineering Joins EPA’s ENERGY STAR Challenge and Kicks Off Initiative for Nation’s Hospitals (July 2006)

The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) of the American Hospital Association (AHA) today joined with the EPA to meet the ENERGY STAR Challenge of improving energy efficiency by 10 percent. ASHE is launching a two year campaign, E2C, to educate its members about the environmental and financial benefits of pursuing energy efficiency improvements in healthcare facilities. ASHE estimates that in the first year of the campaign, members will save more than $65 million on energy costs while helping to protect our environment by reducing nearly three million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

Save on Energy Bills this Summer — for Consumers and Businesses (May 2006)

No need for Americans to suffer in the heat this summer. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has new tools and advice for homeowners and businesses to keep money in their pockets, be comfortable, and protect the environment. The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. EPA has a new interactive tool, ENERGY STAR @ home, that allows homeowners to take a virtual tour of a home and learn how they can make energy-efficient improvements in each room.

EPA’s ENERGY STAR Challenge encourages businesses and other organizations to improve their energy efficiency by 10 percent or more. EPA has five steps to put your business on the path to significant savings, while helping to protect the environment, this summer and beyond.

New Specifications for Imaging Equipment Released (May 2006)

EPA released new specifications for ENERGY STAR qualified imaging equipment, including copiers, fax machines, printers, and scanners. In addition to low power mode efficiency, for products that get the most use, the new specifications address the power consumed while the equipment is being used (e.g. active mode) delivering energy savings in all modes of operation. There are approximately 275 million imaging equipment products in use in the U.S. today. This year, businesses and households will consume 50 Billion KWh at a cost of $3.6 Million, accounting for 2 percent of total U.S. electricity expenditures.

2006 ENERGY STAR Awards

EPA and DOE are recognizing 67 organizations as winners of the 2006 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards. These organizations have made outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. EPA and DOE sponsor these awards annually to recognize energy efficiency investments made by ENERGY STAR partners that saved consumers money while helping the environment. The Partners of the Year are selected from the over 8,000 ENERGY STAR partners based on their efforts to utilize energy-efficient technologies, communicate the benefits of energy savings to consumers and businesses, and encourage others to partner with ENERGY STAR. This year’s award winners include Merck & Co. Inc., The Home Depot, Frito-Lay, Toyota and Pardee Homes.

More than 2500 U.S. Buildings Earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR (January 2006)

More than 2500 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings, representing 482 million square feet, earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR for superior energy and environmental performance in 2005. These buildings are saving an estimated $349 million annually in lower energy bills and are also preventing 1.8 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from 540,000 vehicles. ENERGY STAR qualified buildings use up to 40 percent less energy than typical buildings, while providing the required comfort and services.

EPA Adopts Principles from White House Summit on Sustainable Buildings (January 2006)

Following a White House Summit on Sustainable Buildings, EPA adopted a set of Guiding Principles for designing and operating federal facilities including: integrated design, energy performance, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality. Specifically, new buildings should be designed to earn the ENERGY STAR, where applicable, and the energy performance of a building should be verified, using EPA’s energy performance rating for buildings. Other signatories include DOD and GSA. This effort will help the federal government address the rising cost of energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generally reduce the environmental impact of federal buildings.

Energy Efficient Battery Chargers can now earn the ENERGY STAR (January 2006)

The ENERGY STAR label is now available for cordless power tool and appliance battery chargers that meet newly established energy efficiency guidelines. Battery charging systems recharge a wide variety of cordless products, including power tools, electric toothbrushes and portable floor vacuums. Approximately 230 million products with battery charging systems are currently in use in the United States. On average, ENERGY STAR qualified battery chargers will use 35 percent less energy than conventional models.

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