Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington businesses compete to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gases in EPA’s Energy Star Battle of the Buildings

EPA Press Release:

Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington businesses compete to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gases in EPA’s Energy Star Battle of the Buildings

Contact:  Suzanne Skadowski, EPA Public Affairs, 206-295-4829, skadowski.suzanne@epa.gov

(Seattle – August 20, 2013) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today launched the 2013 Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. Teams from more than 220 buildings in the Pacific Northwest -- 3,000 buildings nationwide -- are competing to see who can most reduce their buildings’ energy use.

“Battle of the Buildings is a great opportunity for businesses to save money while reducing carbon pollution that contributes to climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “These are the kinds of smart, innovative solutions that are going to help solve the environmental challenges we face today.”

Battle of the Buildings competitors in the Pacific Northwest include the Pioneer US Courthouse in Portland built in 1875 and buildings built in every decade from 1900 to 2010.  The top three competitors in the Pacific Northwest by numbers of buildings are Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle with 63 buildings competing in Washington, General Services Administration with 49 buildings in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and Union Bank with 31 buildings competing in Oregon and Washington.

Energy Star’s Battle of the Buildings motivates businesses to improve energy efficiency and save energy costs. Competitors measure and track their buildings’ monthly energy consumption using Portfolio Manager, EPA's Energy Star online energy measurement and tracking tool. Competitors cut energy waste through efficiency improvements from equipment replacement to changes in building occupant actions.

Commercial buildings are responsible for 20 percent of U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion annually. By improving the energy efficiency where Americans work, play, and learn, Battle of the Buildings competitors will save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change. Last year’s competitors cut energy costs more than $50 million and reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used by more than 43,000 homes.