Tampa on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List of Most Energy Star buildings of any city in the U.S.

From EPA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 25, 2015 

Tampa on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List of Most Energy Star buildings of any city in the U.S. 

Contact Information: Dawn Harris Young, EPA, (404) 562-8421 (Direct), (404) 562-8400 (Main), harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

ATLANTA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its seventh-annual list of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2014 and the city of Tampa ranks twenty-forth. EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities list shows how cities across America, with help from Energy Star, are embracing energy efficiency as an effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change.

Energy Star labeled buildings in Tampa achieved significant reductions in their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. These buildings represent more than 12 million square feet and will save more than $13 million annually in energy costs while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions of 11,500 homes a year. Energy Star buildings and plants are America’s energy all-stars – they save more, use less and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Cities across the country are saving billions every year through partnering with our Energy Star program and increasing energy efficiency, while doing their part to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This is the type of leadership we need from city leaders and building owners who are demonstrating that increasing energy efficiency strengthens local economies, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps preserve a healthy planet for future generations.”

More than 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Energy Star certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and they use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

The program starts with tools to help building owners or managers understand how their buildings are currently performing and what to aim for in terms of improvements. A typical upgrade includes the following: tuning up the building systems; reducing lighting loads; reducing supplemental loads (e.g., equipment, wasteful behaviors, leaky windows, poor insulation, etc.); improving air distribution systems; and making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment. The stages, when followed in order, account for the interactions between different building systems. For example, replacing heat-producing incandescent bulbs with cool CFLs or LEDs will mean that a building’s air conditioner won’t have to work as hard in the summer months, so a building may be able to downsize its cooling system based on the new lighting’s heat output. Another benefit of the five-stage approach is that it ensures the lowest-cost measures are tackled first. As organizations progress through the five stages, they can roll their cost savings into larger and larger investments, culminating in the last, most expensive stage. By the time organizations start making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment, they typically have already amassed substantial cost savings from previous lower-cost improvements.

To create the annual top cities list, EPA tallies the number of Energy Star certified buildings for the end of the previous year within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding towns and suburbs.

Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

More on the 2015 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities

Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

More about earning the Energy Star label for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification

Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4

And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast

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March 25, 2015 Atlanta Ranks 3rd on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List of Most Energy Star buildings in the U.S.

From EPA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2015 Atlanta Ranks 3rd on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List of Most Energy Star buildings in the U.S. Contact Information: Dawn Harris Young, EPA, (404) 562-8421 (Direct), (404) 562-8400 (Main),harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

ATLANTA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its seventh-annual list of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2014 and the city of Atlanta ranks third. EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities list shows how cities across America, with help from Energy Star, are embracing energy efficiency as an effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change.

Energy Star labeled buildings in Atlanta achieved significant reductions in their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. These buildings represent more than 69 million square feet and will save more than $55 million annually in energy costs while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions of 48,700 homes a year. Energy Star buildings and plants are America’s energy all-stars – they save more, use less and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Cities across the country are saving billions every year through partnering with our Energy Star program and increasing energy efficiency, while doing their part to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This is the type of leadership we need from city leaders and building owners who are demonstrating that increasing energy efficiency strengthens local economies, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps preserve a healthy planet for future generations.”

More than 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Energy Star certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and they use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

The program starts with tools to help building owners or managers understand how their buildings are currently performing and what to aim for in terms of improvements. A typical upgrade includes the following: tuning up the building systems; reducing lighting loads; reducing supplemental loads (e.g., equipment, wasteful behaviors, leaky windows, poor insulation, etc.); improving air distribution systems; and making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment. The stages, when followed in order, account for the interactions between different building systems. For example, replacing heat-producing incandescent bulbs with cool CFLs or LEDs will mean that a building’s air conditioner won’t have to work as hard in the summer months, so a building may be able to downsize its cooling system based on the new lighting’s heat output. Another benefit of the five-stage approach is that it ensures the lowest-cost measures are tackled first. As organizations progress through the five stages, they can roll their cost savings into larger and larger investments, culminating in the last, most expensive stage. By the time organizations start making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment, they typically have already amassed substantial cost savings from previous lower-cost improvements.

To create the annual top cities list, EPA tallies the number of Energy Star certified buildings for the end of the previous year within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding towns and suburbs.

Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

More on the 2015 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities

Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

More about earning the Energy Star label for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification

Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4

And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast

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Austin, DFW and Houston Businesses Saved $145 Million with Energy Efficient buildings

From EPA:

Austin, DFW and Houston Businesses Saved $145 Million with Energy Efficient buildings

 Contact: Joe Hubbard or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

DALLAS – (March 25, 2015) Three of Texas’ major metropolitan areas are embracing energy efficiency to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by meeting EPA’s Energy Star requirements. Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston jointly have over 500 buildings with Energy Star certifications—saving a combined $145 million.       

“Energy Star certified buildings are leading the way by advancing energy efficiency and making cost-saving improvements,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “These smart, innovative solutions and commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions are ideal business decisions.”

More than 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Energy Star certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and they use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change.

Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

More on the 2015 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities

Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

More about earning the Energy Star label for commercial buildings:www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm 

 # # #

EPA announces $371,000 for Oregon clean diesel projects

From EPA:

EPA announces $371,000 for Oregon clean diesel projects

Funds will go to purchase healthier school buses and retrofit engines to reduce emissions

CONTACT: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov

(Seattle—March 24, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing over $371,000 in grant funds for Oregon to reduce harmful air pollutants from diesel engines. The funds will be used to support the purchase of school buses that reduce diesel pollution and to reduce exhaust generated by heavy duty diesel-powered trucks that operate in communities.

“These projects provide advanced diesel technology that supports community health in Oregon,” said Dennis McLerran, Regional Administrator for EPA Region 10. “Funding through the Diesel Emission Reduction Act provides an important opportunity to leverage public and private funding for cleaner trucks, buses, boats and heavy equipment.”

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is receiving over $126,000 to support the purchase of four school buses that reduce diesel pollution. In addition, over $245,000 will go to Beyond Toxics, a local organization that will use the funds to replace a heavy duty diesel powered truck owned by Apex Disposal Services, which operates in environmental justice neighborhoods. The project will also result in the installation of advanced exhaust controls on seven heavy duty trucks owned and operated by City of Roses Disposal and Recycling Services. These trucks are used in the collection and transport of refuse and construction debris in the Portland and Eugene metropolitan areas.

Of the $8 million awarded nationally, EPA Regions 9 and 10 awarded $2.5 million through the West Coast Collaborative, a partnership of public and private entities in the western states. The $2.5 million will fund eight projects that include school buses, trucks and agricultural equipment that will operate cleaner thru more advanced diesel technology as well as natural gas and electric power alternatives.

Older diesel engines emit significant amounts of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NO_X) and particulate matter (PM). These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and even premature death. Older diesel engines also emit significant amounts of black carbon which has been linked to climate change. New diesel and alternative fuel technology can reduce diesel pollution by more than 90 percent.

Since the start of the DERA program in 2008, EPA has awarded over 700 grants across the US in 600 communities. Many of these projects fund cleaner diesel engines that operate in economically disadvantaged communities whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart, and lung disease. The DERA program is set to expire in 2016.

For more information about the West Coast Collaborative and EPA region 9 and 10 projects, visitwww.westcoastcollaborative.org. For more information about the projects awarded nationally, visitwww.epa.gov/cleandiesel/prgnational.htm.

If you would rather not receive future communications from Environmental Protection Agency, let us know by clickinghere.

Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101 United States

Washington, D.C. Leads Nation on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List

From EPA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2015

Washington, D.C. Leads Nation on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List
DC has the most Energy Star buildings of any city in the U.S.; followed by Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its seventh-annual list of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2014. This year, Washington, D.C., debuts in the top spot with 480 buildings. EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities list shows how cities across America, with help from Energy Star, are embracing energy efficiency as an effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change.

"Cities across the country are saving billions every year through partnering with our Energy Star program and increasing energy efficiency, while doing their part to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This is the type of leadership we need from city leaders and building owners who are demonstrating that increasing energy efficiency strengthens local economies, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps preserve a healthy planet for future generations.”

More than 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Energy Star certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and they use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

The program starts with tools to help building owners or managers understand how their buildings are currently performing and what to aim for in terms of improvements. A typical upgrade includes the following: tuning up the building systems; reducing lighting loads; reducing supplemental loads (e.g., equipment, wasteful behaviors, leaky windows, poor insulation, etc.); improving air distribution systems; and making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment. The stages, when followed in order, account for the interactions between different building systems. For example, replacing heat-producing incandescent bulbs with cool CFLs or LEDs will mean that a building’s air conditioner won’t have to work as hard in the summer months, so a building may be able to downsize its cooling system based on the new lighting’s heat output. Another benefit of the five-stage approach is that it ensures the lowest-cost measures are tackled first. As organizations progress through the five stages, they can roll their cost savings into larger and larger investments, culminating in the last, most expensive stage. By the time organizations start making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment, they typically have already amassed substantial cost savings from previous lower-cost improvements.

To create the annual top cities list, EPA tallies the number of Energy Star certified buildings for the end of the previous year within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding towns and suburbs.

The top 25 cities are:

Rank     Metro Area                    2014 Building Count
1          Washington, DC            480
2          Los Angeles                  475
3          Atlanta                          328
4          New York                      299
5          San Francisco               292
6          Chicago                        251
7          Dallas-Fort Worth          248
8          Houston                        235
9          Denver                          195
10         Boston                         176
11         Phoenix                        165
12         Philadelphia                  158
13         Seattle                          149
14         Riverside, Calif.             127
15         Minneapolis-St. Paul      122
16         Charlotte                       95
17         San Diego                    92
18         Miami                           90
19         Sacramento                  89
20         Virginia Beach               81
21         Detroit                          80
22         San Jose                      70
23         Austin                           65
23         Portland, Ore.               65
24         Louisville                      59
24         Tampa                          59
25         Salt Lake City                55

Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

More on the 2015 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities

Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

More about earning the Energy Star label for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification

R65

Women's History Month

From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

March is Women’s History Month. We’re proud to recognize a woman making #history by leading a major car manufacturer’s development of electric vehicles. Learn about Pam Fletcher, the General Motors Chief Engineer for Electrified Vehicles in this Energy.govblog: http://go.usa.gov/3rfUT. 
Photo Courtesy of General Motors, Steve Fecht
#WomensHistoryMonth

RECs: Making Green Power Possible