Energy Star Challenge Urges Reduction in Building Energy Use

WASHINGTON, DC-Energy Star–a program backed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy that identifies energy efficiency in buildings and products in an effort to promote protection of the environment–has wrapped up an event here where it announced the Energy Star Challenge. The challenge is a campaign to encourage businesses and institutions to make a concerted effort to reduce energy use by 10% or more at buildings across the country.

In achieving the goal of a minimum 10% reduction in energy use, the Energy Star Challenge urges businesses to take three vital steps: determine the amount of energy buildings are using; set efficiency improvement goals; and follow through with designated improvements. “I think you all know that the buildings in which we work, shop, and educate our children use about $80 billion worth of electricity and natural gas per year,” luncheon speaker Dr. Jeffrey R. Holmstead, EPA assistant administrator for Air & Radiation, told attendees. “And what you may not know is that the amount of energy creates about 20% of the total greenhouse gasses emitted by the US, and is expected to grow.”