[StBernard] Louisiana buildings powering Energy Star savings

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Wed Feb 7 20:28:31 EST 2007


(Dallas, Texas – February 7, 2007) A total of 22 top performing
Louisiana buildings have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s ENERGY STAR for powerful cuts to their energy bills and
greenhouse gas emissions.

These award-winning buildings represent more than 7 million square feet,
save an estimated $3.9 million annually in lower energy bills, and
prevent more than 69 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equal
to emissions of more than 5,600 vehicles.

“Louisiana is leading the way by building better buildings that provide
a better environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E.
Greene. “By joining America’s Energy Star program, Louisianians save
money and do their part in protecting the environment.”

The Louisiana buildings are among more than 3,200 top performing
buildings that earned the Energy Star in 2006. Nationally, these
include about 320 supermarkets, 320 office buildings, and 200 K-12
schools. Almost 90 banks, courthouses, financial centers, hospitals,
hotels, and — for the first time — dormitories also earned the Energy
Star, the most recognized national symbol for energy efficiency.

America’s desire for environmentally friendly buildings is growing, and
superior energy efficiency — identified by the Energy Star — is a
critical element of green building. Buildings that earn the Energy Star
are the top performers for energy efficiency nationwide. In fact,
buildings that earn the Energy Star use about 35 percent less energy
than average buildings. Moreover, about 400 Energy Star buildings use
50 percent less energy than average buildings.

Commercial buildings account for almost 18 percent of our nation’s
greenhouse gas emissions. Building owners earn the Energy Star by
scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA’s energy performance rating system,
which calculates scores based on actual energy use. With interest in
energy efficiency growing, Energy Star offers easy-to-use tools and
guidelines that can help building owners and managers in the United
States realize significant energy and dollar savings.

EPA started the Energy Star program in 1992. Energy Star is a
government-backed program that helps businesses and consumers protect
the environment through superior energy efficiency. Last year alone,
American consumers and businesses, with the help of Energy Star, saved
$12 billion and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from
23 million vehicles.

The complete list of Louisiana buildings is available at
www.epa.gov/region6

For more information on Energy Star go to: www.energystar.gov


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