CHICAGO, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Last year, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Energy Star status to 53 office buildings, schools, hospitals, public buildings and college dormitories in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
“These buildings are among the nation’s top energy savers,” said Regional Administrator Mary A. Gade. “They use about one-third less energy than average buildings which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves money.”
Commercial buildings account for nearly 18 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings earn the Energy Star rating by scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA’s national energy performance rating system. Scores are based on actual energy use.
The 930 Energy Star buildings selected nationally in 2006 will save an estimated $420 million annually in lower energy bills and prevent 4 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to emissions from more than 300,000 vehicles. Nationwide, since the program began, more than 3,200 top performing buildings have earned the Energy Star for cuts to their energy bills.
EPA started the Energy Star program in 1992 to help businesses and consumers protect the environment through energy efficiency. It is probably best known as a label for energy performance on home appliances and electronics. In the last year alone, Energy Star helped consumers and businesses save $12 billion and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from 23 million cars.
The complete list of buildings by state is at http://www.energystar.gov/labeledbuildings . More information on Energy Star is at http://www.energystar.gov/ . The Midwest buildings that received the Energy Star label in 2006 are:
Wisconsin
Madison: Cherokee Heights Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, Midvale Elementary School, Muir Elementary School, WEEBF Office Building, RenewAire Renovation. Cornell: Cornell Elementary School. Cuba City: Cuba City Elementary School. Florence: Haberkom’s Supermarket. Plymouth: Horizon Elementary School. Ashland: Lake Superior Elementary School. Kenosha: Lance Middle School. Little Chute: Little Chute Elementary School. Milwaukee: Milwaukee VA Regional Office. Eau Claire: Northstar Middle School. Somerset: Somerset Elementary School. Washburn: Washburn Elementary, Middle and High School.
