Energy STAR School Buildings
Wow, folks there are some ENERGY STAR school buildings we must discuss! In addition, the EPA’s also dishing out some well-deserved kudos. Most exciting, New England’s stealing the spotlight! So let’s break down this green scene, shall we?
First up, we’ve got nine rockstar companies that have snagged the ENERGY STAR Leaders title over the past seven years. These eco-warriors aren’t just talking the talk. For they’re walking the walk when it comes to energy efficiency. They’re like the Avengers of the energy world, assembling to save our planet one kilowatt at a time!
But wait, there’s more! For in 2011 alone, a whopping 207 buildings in New England earned the coveted ENERGY STAR label. Now that’s not just a pat on the back. Because it’s a full-on bear hug from Mother Nature herself! These buildings are also shining beacons of sustainability. For they’re proving that you can look good, all the while doing good for the environment.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate what this means, folks. We’re talking about businesses and buildings that are slashing their energy use, cutting carbon emissions, and probably saving a pretty penny on their utility bills too. It’s a win-win-win situation!
This isn’t just good news for New England; it’s a beacon of hope for the rest of us. These ENERGY STAR champs are showing us that going green isn’t just possible; it’s profitable and downright cool.
They’re also setting the bar high and challenging the rest of us to step up our game.
So, here’s to you, New England!
You’re not just known for your beautiful fall foliage and clam chowder anymore. You’re also blazing a trail in the world of energy efficiency. Frankly, we’re all here for it. So I say keep up the fantastic work. Now let’s hope the rest of the country follows your lead. After all, when it comes to saving our planet, we’re all in this together!
Energy Star Leaders
ENERGY STAR Leaders must meet one of two energy efficiency improvement milestones. For the first milestone requires a 10 percent improvement in energy performance across their entire building portfolio. Finally, subsequent recognition is given for each 10 percent improvement thereafter.
The second milestone, known as “top performer,” requires that the buildings in an organization’s portfolio. Now on average these buildings perform in the top 25 percent. Especially when compared to similar buildings nationwide.
To be eligible for ENERGY STAR Leaders recognition, organizations are required to track and submit energy performance data for all buildings and fuel sources through EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool.
New England
New England is home to businesses and schools that reached one or both of these ambitious milestones: These include: Cambridge Savings Bank (Mass.), Hannaford Brothers (Maine), Middleborough Public Schools (Mass.), Rochester School District (N.H.), Saunders Hotel Group (Mass.), Smithfield Public Schools (R.I.), Staples (Mass.), Stop and Shop Supermarket Co. (Mass.), and Weston Public Schools (Conn.).
“These New England companies and schools are achieving substantial energy efficiency improvements by using Energy Star tools,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “They are saving money, and helping to improve air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Saving $150 Million
ENERGY STAR Leaders have cumulatively saved more than $150 million on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used by nearly 95,000 homes. The complete list of ENERGY STAR Leaders has grown to more than 200 organizations. For it includes school districts, national retailers, commercial real estate companies, healthcare systems, supermarket operators and also hotel managers. It’s those that have achieved energy efficiency improvements across more than 11,400 buildings. Now that’s more notably, covering nearly 730 million square feet in the United States.
In addition to the ENERGY STAR Leaders, 207 buildings in New England earned an ENERGY STAR label in 2011. The ENERGY STAR mark of excellence certifies that the buildings scored in the top 25 percent when benchmarked against similar buildings in the U.S. Buildings in 14 different categories including schools, hospitals, retail, and houses of worship are eligible to receive ENERGY STAR labels. Two New England institutions received the largest number of labels in 2011 include the Providence, Rhode Island, School Department with 11 labels and Staples, Inc. with 29 labels.
Providence, RI
Since 2007, Providence, RI school energy managers have tracked energy use in their 36 schools and used that data to determine where they could reduce their energy consumption. Eleven schools earned labels so far this year, and 12 more schools have submitted applications for labels that are currently being reviewed. Providence schools have also used energy utility company audits and rebates to retrofit lighting, renovate building envelopes, and upgrade HVAC systems. These efforts have saved the City of Providence 20% of their energy bill, or almost eight million dollars since 2008.
Staples
Framingham, Mass.-based Staples has been an ENERGY STAR® partner since 1999, and has a goal to reduce the electrical intensity of their global operations by 25 percent by 2020 from a 2010 baseline. Staples’ energy conservation measures have already reduced electricity intensity (kWh per ft2) by 12 percent across its U.S. operations, saving the company nearly $9.9 million per year. Since 2008, Staples has retrofitted lighting in more than 750 stores.
Other New England buildings receiving ENERGY STAR labels in 2011 include a hospital, four houses of worship, two senior living facilities, multiple retail, hotel and financial offices, and more schools: 16 in N.H., 11 in Mass. and one in Barrington, R.I.
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was started by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 33 million vehicles.
More information: ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
February 22, 2012
