Energy Star

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Issue Summary

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Government agencies spend more than $10 billion a year on energy to provide public services and meet constituent needs - while grappling with tightening budgets. Energy use in commercial buildings and industrial facilities is responsible for more than 50 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, it is imperative that any local government looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions pay special attention to its own buildings and the buildings in its community.

ENERGT STAR provides an opportunity to reduce these emissions because as much as 30 percent of the energy consumed in commercial buildings is often used unnecessarily or inefficiently. Through ENERGY STAR, the EPA provides local governments a proven energy management strategy and no-cost tools to save energy and money, as well as demonstrate your environmental leadership.

Local and state governments, as well as federal agencies, that partner with EPA and take the ENERGY STAR Challenge demonstrate their commitment to taxpayers as well as the environment.

Resources

U.S. EPA

EPA Energy Star Program.

Other Federal Agencies

U.S. Department of Energy—ENERGY STAR Program.

States

ENERGY STAR Partners. Locate local government ENERGY STAR partners by state.

Publications

ENERGY STAR Publications. All publications are offered free of charge.

Databases and Tools

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy. Contains financial and regulatory incentives available from each of the 50 states designed to promote the application of renewable energy technologies.

EIA State Energy Profile. Provides state energy statistics at a glance, including consumption and prices for petroleum, natural gas, coal, electricity, and nuclear power.

Clean Cities. A program that provides information on how to build a local alternative fuel market which, in turn, improves air quality, stimulates the local economy, and increases public awareness of alternative fuels.

ENERGY STAR'S Guidelines for Energy Management. Tools for establishing a comprehensive energy management program.

Portfolio Manager. Measure and track energy and water use in all existing buildings.

Target Finder. Use this resource to set energy use targets and rate energy design intent for new buildings.

Wastewater plants and drinking water systems. Improve energy performance of these operations.

Financial Assistance

State Energy Program. Provides funding to states to design and carry out their own energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Department of Energy Financing Solutions and Incentives. DOE provides useful resources for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for the home, business, industry, utilities, and government.

Weatherization Assistance Program. Provides information on grant money available to states, which states can, in turn, award to local agencies to perform weatherization services