We CAN Be Green

Green News: EPA Awards $17 Million to Study Climate Change

CONTACT:
Cathy Milbourn
milbourn.cathy@epa.gov
202-564-7849
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2010

EPA Awards $17 Million to Support Research on the Impacts of Climate Change

Twenty-five universities to explore public heath and environmental facets of climate change
 
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding nearly $17 million in Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grants to universities across the country to study the consequences of climate change on the air we breathe and the water we drink.

“EPA is engaging the academic research community, through these grants, to enable solutions that will both adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change," said Dr. Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator for the Office of Research and Development.

The agency solicited grants in four areas:

Climate Change and Allergies
Allergies are responsible for a substantial proportion of healthcare costs in the United States, and chronic allergies have been increasing since 1970. Following on to research showing links between climate and the production and distribution of pollen and mold, the new research being funded will provide information on how climate change influences the production, distribution, dispersal, and potency of allergens produced by weeds, grasses, and trees, and the associated impacts on human health.

Climate Change and Air Quality
The grants will help people understand how weather variability, land use decisions, and industrial technology could impact ozone and fine particle pollution over the next 40 years. The research will help guide the formation of new air quality management systems that effectively account for climate change and mitigation strategies for air quality.

Climate Change and Water Resources
Climate change affects temperature, precipitation, surface radiation, humidity, winds, and sea level. The STAR-funded research will help assess the sensitivity of aquatic systems to possible climatic changes over the next several decades. Understanding these changes will be useful for developing regional adaptive strategies to reduce the risk of harmful impacts to water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration
These grants will investigate safe and effective ways to store and sequester carbon. This research will help determine if injecting carbon dioxide (CO₂) deep into the ground threatens the environment and underground water resources.   

EPA brings leading-edge science to assess the consequences of climate change on human health, ecosystems, and social well being. One of the agency’s goals is to develop information and tools to make assessments on the overall impact of climate change.

More information about the grants and the grant awardees:  http://www.epa.gov/ncer/climate

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Green News: EPA Announces New Support for Sustainable Communities

CONTACT:

Dave Ryan (News Media Only)

ryan.dave@epa.gov

202-564-7827

202-564-4355

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 5, 2010

 

 

EPA Announces New Support for Sustainable Communities

 

New office, pilot programs to help communities minimize their environmental impact and increase economic opportunity

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced three steps to support communities’ efforts to provide their citizens’ with economic opportunity while reducing impacts on the environment.  The actions will encourage state and local government to make their communities more sustainable by strategically aligning their environmental, transportation and housing investments.

 

The steps EPA announced today are:

 

·         The creation of a new Office of Sustainable Communities to encourage communities to take an integrated approach in making environmental, housing and transportation decisions.

·         A new pilot grant program designed to help three states – New York, Maryland and California – use their clean water funding programs to support efforts to make communities more sustainable.

·         A pilot program to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites, known as brownfield sites, in coordination with communities’ efforts to develop public transportation and affordable housing. 

 

Today’s announcements build on the work EPA is doing with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. The partnership is focused on ensuring that housing and transportation goals are met while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and helping to address the challenges of climate change.

 

The brownfields pilot program announced today represents a key step in that partnership. Together, EPA, HUD, and DOT have selected five pilot sites across the country where there is a convergence of public transit and the need for affordable housing. Cleaning and reusing this land and providing new housing choices will create jobs and new economic opportunities. The five sites selected for the Sustainable Communities Partnership Pilots are the Fairmount Line in Boston; the Smart Growth Redevelopment District in Indianapolis; the La Alma/South Lincoln Park neighborhood in Denver; the Riverfront Crossings District in Iowa City, Iowa; and the Westside Affordable Housing Transit-Oriented Development in National City, Calif.

 

The Office of Sustainable Communities that EPA announced today will help create neighborhoods that offer good jobs, educational opportunities, safe and affordable homes and transportation options while minimizing their impact on the environment. The Pilot Technical Assistance Program for Sustainable Communities will further that goal by encouraging states to use their Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program to better support communities that adopt sustainable strategies, like transit-oriented, mixed-use development.

 

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities:

http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/partnership

 

More information on EPA’s Smart Growth program: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth

 

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Green News: Memo from EPA Administrator to EPA Employees

CONTACT:
Adora Andy
press@epa.gov
202-564-6794

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2010


MEMORANDUM

From: Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator

To: All EPA Employees

Colleagues:

Almost one year ago, I began my work as Administrator. It has been a deeply fulfilling 12 months and a wonderful homecoming for me. As our first year together draws to a close, we must now look to the tasks ahead.

In my First Day Memo, I outlined five priorities for my time as Administrator. We have made enormous strides on all five, and our achievements reflect your hard work and dedication. By working with our senior policy team, listening to your input and learning from the experiences of the last 12 months, we have strengthened our focus and expanded the list of priorities. Listed below are seven key themes to focus the work of our agency. 

Taking Action on Climate Change:  2009 saw historic progress in the fight against climate change, with a range of greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. We must continue this critical effort and ensure compliance with the law. We will continue to support the President and Congress in enacting clean energy and climate legislation. Using the Clean Air Act, we will finalize our mobile source rules and provide a framework for continued improvements in that sector. We will build on the success of Energy Star to expand cost-saving energy conservation and efficiency programs.  And, we will continue to develop common-sense solutions for reducing GHG emissions from large stationary sources like power plants. In all of this, we must also recognize that climate change will affect other parts of our core mission, such as protecting air and water quality, and we must include those considerations in our future plans.    

Improving Air Quality:  American communities face serious health and environmental challenges from air pollution. We have already proposed stronger ambient air quality standards for ozone, which will help millions of American breathe easier and live healthier. Building on that, EPA will develop a comprehensive strategy for a cleaner and more efficient power sector, with strong but achievable emission reduction goals for SO₂, NO_x, mercury and other air toxics. We will strengthen our ambient air quality standards for pollutants such as PM, SO₂ and NO₂ and will achieve additional reductions in air toxics from a range of industrial facilities. Improved monitoring, permitting and enforcement will be critical building blocks for air quality improvement. 

Assuring the Safety of Chemicals:  One of my highest priorities is to make significant and long overdue progress in assuring the safety of chemicals in our products, our environment and our bodies. Last year I announced principles for modernizing the Toxic Substances Control Act. Separately, we are shifting EPA’s focus to address high-concern chemicals and filling data gaps on widely produced chemicals in commerce. At the end of 2009, we released our first-ever chemical management plans for four groups of substances, and more plans are in the pipeline for 2010. Using our streamlined Integrated Risk Information System, we will continue strong progress toward rigorous, peer-reviewed health assessments on dioxins, arsenic, formaldehyde, TCE and other substances of concern.

Cleaning Up Our Communities:  In 2009 EPA made strong cleanup progress by accelerating our Superfund program and confronting significant local environmental challenges like the asbestos Public Health Emergency in Libby, Montana and the coal ash spill in Kingston, Tennessee. Using all the tools at our disposal, including enforcement and compliance efforts, we will continue to focus on making safer, healthier communities. I am committed to maximizing the potential of our brownfields program, particularly to spur environmental cleanup and job creation in disadvantaged communities. We are also developing enhanced strategies for risk reduction in our Superfund program, with stronger partnerships with stakeholders affected by our cleanups. 

Protecting America’s Waters:  America’s waterbodies are imperiled as never before. Water quality and enforcement programs face complex challenges, from nutrient loadings and stormwater runoff, to invasive species and drinking water contaminants. These challenges demand both traditional and innovative strategies. We will continue comprehensive watershed protection programs for the Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes. We will initiate measures to address post-construction runoff, water quality impairment from surface mining, and stronger drinking water protection. Recovery Act funding will expand construction of water infrastructure, and we will work with states to develop nutrient limits and launch an Urban Waters initiative. We will also revamp enforcement strategies to achieve greater compliance across the board.

Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working for Environmental Justice:  We have begun a new era of outreach and protection for communities historically underrepresented in EPA decision-making. We are building strong working relationships with tribes, communities of color, economically distressed cities and towns, young people and others, but this is just a start.  We must include environmental justice principles in all of our decisions. This is an area that calls for innovation and bold thinking, and I am challenging all of our employees to bring vision and creativity to our programs.  The protection of vulnerable subpopulations is a top priority, especially with regard to children. Our revitalized Children’s Health Office is bringing a new energy to safeguarding children through all of our enforcement efforts. We will ensure that children’s health protection continues to guide the path forward.

Building Strong State and Tribal Partnerships:  States and tribal nations bear important responsibilities for the day-to-day mission of environmental protection, but declining tax revenues and fiscal challenges are pressuring state agencies and tribal governments to do more with fewer resources.  Strong partnerships and accountability are more important than ever. EPA must do its part to support state and tribal capacity and, through strengthened oversight, ensure that programs are consistently delivered nationwide. Where appropriate, we will use our own expertise and capacity to bolster state and tribal efforts.

We will also focus on improving EPA’s internal operations, from performance measures to agency processes. We have a complex organization -- which is both an asset and a challenge. We will strive to ensure that EPA is a workplace worthy of our top notch workforce. Our success will depend on supporting innovation and creativity in both what we do and how we do it, and I encourage everyone to be part of constructively improving our agency.

These priorities will guide our work in 2010 and the years ahead. They are built around the challenges and opportunities inherent in our mission to protect human health and the environment for all Americans.  We will carry out our mission by respecting our core values of science, transparency and the rule of law. I have unlimited confidence in the talent and spirit of our workforce, and I will look to your energy, ideas and passion in the days ahead. I know we will meet these challenges head on, as one EPA.

Sincerely,
Lisa P. Jackson

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Green News: EPA Strengthens Smog Standard to Protect All Americans

CONTACT:

Cathy Milbourn

milbourn.cathy@epa.gov

202-564-7849

202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2010

EPA Strengthens Smog Standard

Proposed standards, strictest to date, will protect the health of all Americans, especially children

WASHINGTON – The United States Environmental Protection Agency today proposed the strictest health standards to date for smog. Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, is linked to a number of serious health problems, ranging from aggravation of asthma to increased risk of premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Ozone can even harm healthy people who work and play outdoors. The agency is proposing to replace the standards set by the previous administration, which many believe were not protective enough of human health.

“EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face.  Smog in the air we breathe poses a very serious health threat, especially to children and individuals suffering from asthma and lung disease.  It dirties our air, clouds our cities, and drives up our health care costs across the country,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  “Using the best science to strengthen these standards is a long overdue action that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier.”

The agency is proposing to set the “primary” standard, which protects public health, at a level between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million (ppm) measured over eight hours. Children are at the greatest risk from ozone, because their lungs are still developing, they are most likely to be active outdoors, and they are more likely than adults to have asthma. Adults with asthma or other lung diseases, and older adults are also sensitive to ozone.

EPA is also proposing to set a separate “secondary” standard to protect the environment, especially plants and trees. This seasonal standard is designed to protect plants and trees from damage occurring from repeated ozone exposure, which can reduce tree growth, damage leaves, and increase susceptibility to disease.  

In September 2009 Administrator Jackson announced that EPA would reconsider the existing ozone standards, set at 0.075 ppm in March 2008. As part of its reconsideration, EPA conducted a review of the science that guided the 2008 decision, including more than 1,700 scientific studies and public comments from the 2008 rulemaking process. EPA also reviewed the findings of the independent Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, which recommended standards in the ranges proposed today.

Depending on the level of the final standard, the proposal would yield health benefits between $13 billion and $100 billion. This proposal would help reduce premature deaths, aggravated asthma, bronchitis cases, hospital and emergency room visits and days when people miss work or school because of ozone-related symptoms. Estimated costs of implementing this proposal range from $19 billion to $90 billion.

Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from industrial facilities, power plants, landfills and motor vehicles react in the sun.

EPA will take public comment for 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. The agency will hold three public hearings on the proposal: Feb. 2, 2010 in Arlington, Va. and in Houston; and Feb. 4, 2010 in Sacramento.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone

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Green News: EPA Announces More Than $9 Million in Beach Grants To Help Protect Swimmers

CONTACT:

Enesta Jones (MEDIA ONLY)

jones.enesta@epa.gov

202-564-7873

202-564-4355

Denise Hawkins (PUBLIC INQUIRIES)

hawkins.denise@epa.gov

202-566-1384

202-566-0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2010

EPA Announces More Than $9 Million in Beach Grants To Help Protect Swimmers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making almost $10 million in grants available to 37 eligible coastal and Great Lakes states, territories and tribes to monitor beach water quality and notify the public of conditions that may be unsafe for swimming.

“This funding will help states monitor their beaches and provide beachgoers with critical water quality information,” said Peter Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “Protecting the beach-going public from illness is a national priority and EPA will continue to invest in this type of initiative.”

This marks the 10th year that EPA provides beach grant funds, with more than $90 million awarded to states, territories, and tribes since 2001. The 2010 grants continue to build upon efforts by EPA and the states to provide consistent public health protection and up-to-date public information about local beach conditions. The beach grants have also enabled states and territories to more than double the number of beaches at which they monitor water quality since 2003. Increased pubic information about beach water quality also serves as a motivator for beach communities to identify sources of contamination and to take corrective action.

The funds are made available under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000. EPA estimates that one-third of all Americans visit coastal areas each year, making a total of 910 million trips while spending more than $40 billion annually. EPA also estimates that coastal recreation and the related tourism industry together serve 180 million Americans, support more than 28 million jobs and generate billions of dollars in goods and services each year.

While EPA’s BEACH Act grants are a cornerstone of federal efforts to develop strong state beach protection programs, the agency is also focusing on developing new technologies to more quickly identify bacterial contamination at our nation’s beaches.  Numerous state-of-the-art detection methods and results from scientific research studies are currently being evaluated.

More information:  http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants/

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Green News: EPA Requests Grant Applications to Fight Climate Change

CONTACT:
Dave Ryan (News Media Only)
Ryan.dave@epa.gov
202-564-7827
202-564-4355
Technical non-press grants questions: Henry Ferland,  202-343-9330

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2010

EPA Requests Grant Applications to Fight Climate Change

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it is making up to $5 million in grants available to U.S. and international organizations to fund innovative, international methane reduction and use projects that cut global climate pollution. The grants will be issued through the Methane to Markets Partnership, a public-private partnership that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by promoting the cost-effective, near-term recovery and use of methane, a GHG that is more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Methane capture and use projects supported by the partnership through grants and other means are currently reducing emissions by more than 27.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually – equivalent to the annual emissions from 5 million passenger vehicles.

Non-profit or government organizations in any country may apply for grant funding, but projects should take place in the following Methane to Markets Partner countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam.  If an organization wishes to submit an application for a project in a developing country or a country with an economy in transition that is not listed above, the country must first apply to the Methane to Markets Partnership before the project can be considered for funding. 

Grant proposals should support feasibility studies, technology transfer, deployment of technology, training, methane emissions inventories, and other activities that promote methane capture and use.  The agency expects to award up to 35 cooperative assistance agreements ranging from approximately $100,000 to $750,000.

Proposals are due by April 15, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. EST.  EPA estimates that awards would be made at the end of 2010.

Since the launch of the partnership in 2004, EPA has provided almost $13 million for nearly 70 grants to build capacity and promote international capture and use of methane. This work will be highlighted in 2010 when EPA, the Government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry host the 2^nd Methane to Markets Partnership Expo on March 2-5, 2010 in Delhi, India. The expo will bring together approximately 1,000 partners and methane experts from around the world to showcase project opportunities and technologies related to the capture and use of methane.


More grant information: http://www.epa.gov/methanetomarkets/grants.htm

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Green News: EPA Strengthens Transboundary Hazardous Waste Shipment Regulations

CONTACT:

Skip Anderson
anderson.skip@epa.gov
202-564-9551
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 28, 2009

 

EPA Strengthens Transboundary Hazardous Waste Shipment Regulations

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening the regulations that govern the shipping of hazardous waste for recycling between the United States and other countries. The new measures are meant to increase the level of regulatory oversight, provide stricter controls, and greater transparency. The final rule announced today aligns EPA’s hazardous waste import/export/transit shipment regulations with the procedures of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an international consortium that comprises 30 countries including the United States.

 

EPA’s new measures bolster regulations regarding hazardous waste shipments into or out of the United States and strengthen the extensive set of regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governing the shipment of hazardous waste within the United States.

Specifically, this rule revises:

 

·      Existing RCRA regulation regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes for recovery among countries belonging to the OECD to conform to legally required revisions made by the OECD, such as:

 

-     requiring U.S. recovery facilities to submit a certificate after recovery of the waste has been completed,

-     adding provisions to ensure that hazardous wastes are returned to the country of export in a more timely and documented manner when it is necessary to do so, and

-     adding new procedures for imported hazardous wastes that are initially managed at U.S. accumulation and transfer facilities to better track and document that subsequent recovery by a separate recycling facility is completed in an environmentally sound manner.

 

·      RCRA regulations for spent lead-acid batteries (SLAB) to add export notification and consent requirements to provide stricter controls and greater transparency for exports of SLABs to any country, and should ensure that the batteries are sent to countries and reclamation facilities in those countries that can manage the SLABs in an environmentally sound manner.    

 

·      Hazardous waste import-related requirements for U.S. hazardous waste management facilities to confirm individual import shipments comply with the terms of EPA’s consent.

 

·      The address to which export exception reports are to be sent.

 

The United States participates in a number of bilateral waste agreements between countries and in the multilateral waste agreement controlling the shipment of hazardous waste for recovery between OECD member countries.

 

More information on the final rule: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/international/oecd-slab-rule.htm

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Green News: EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide

CONTACT:
Dave Ryan
ryan.dave@epa.gov
202-564-7827
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2009

EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on the agency’s proposal to strengthen the nation’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) standards. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2’s effects. EPA is taking comment on a proposal to establish a new national one-hour SO2 standard, between 50 and 100 parts per billion. This standard is designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. Because the revised standards would be more protective, EPA is proposing to revoke the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards.

The hearing will be held on January 5, 2010, in Atlanta, Ga. The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. local time at the following location:

Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
Conference Rooms B and C
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA  30303

Information about participating at the hearing: contact Tricia Crabtree at crabtree.tricia@epa.gov or (919) 541-5688. The public may also register on the day of the hearing but may not be given a specific time to speak.

EPA also will accept written comments on the proposed rule until February 8, 2010.

More information on the proposed rule and instructions for submitting written comments: http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide

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Green News: EPA Seeks Small Business Input on Air Toxics Rule for Brick Production

CONTACT:
Dave Ryan (News Media Only)
Ryan.dave@epa.gov
202-564-7827
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2009


EPA Seeks Small Business Input on Air Toxics Rule for Brick Production

WASHINGTON --The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants recommendations from small businesses on the best way to regulate air toxics from the production of bricks and structural clay products such as roof tiles.  

EPA is inviting small businesses to nominate representatives to participate in a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel that will provide input into the development of the agency’s 2010 proposed rule for brick and structural clay products. This is a change from the past, when EPA selected panel members in consultation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, but did not invite small businesses to nominate representatives.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires EPA to convene such a panel if a rule may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses.

Under a separate statute, the Clean Air Act, EPA must issue national emissions standards for new and existing major sources of air toxics from a wide variety of industries, including brick and structural clay products manufacturing. Air toxics, also known as hazardous air pollutants, are pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems.

EPA issued air toxics regulations for brick and structural clay products manufacturing facilities in 2003, but they were nullified by a federal court; therefore, EPA is beginning the process of developing a new rule. An estimated 82 percent of the companies operating brick kilns are small businesses.

More information about participating in the panel:

http://www.epa.gov/sbrefa/brickclayproducts.htm

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EPA’s Energy Star Buildings Mark a Decade of Savings

CONTACT:

Enesta Jones

jones.enesta@epa.gov

202-564-7873

202-564-4355

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 9, 2009

 

 

EPA’s Energy Star Buildings Mark a Decade of Savings

 

Oldest, tallest, largest buildings named

 

WASHINGTON — Ten years ago, EPA unveiled a ground-breaking development in energy efficiency for the commercial marketplace – the first Energy Star building. Since 1999, Energy Star partners in the commercial marketplace have helped prevent nearly 120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of more than 60 million American homes.

 

“The Energy Star story is one of eliminating barriers, driving demand, and delivering excellence,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “EPA is proud to celebrate a decade of Energy Star buildings in communities across America that play an important role in fighting global warming, improving energy efficiency, and saving money.”

 

To celebrate this important decade milestone, EPA is releasing the publication, Celebrating a Decade of Energy Star Buildings, which tells the history behind the Energy Star program and its development into a leading energy efficiency brand in the commercial marketplace. Buildings highlighted demonstrate the diversity of types of Energy Star buildings, including:

 

·         The oldest building to earn the Energy Star: Cambridge Savings Bank in Cambridge, Mass.

·         The tallest building to earn the Energy Star: Aon Center in Chicago

·         The largest building to earn the Energy Star: USAA McDermott Building in San Antonio, Texas

·         The first building to earn the Energy Star: Ridgehaven Green Building in San Diego, Calif.

 

Several buildings with notable tenants are also listed, including Amazon.com in Seattle, Wash.; National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C.; and MTV in Santa Monica, Calif. Finally, a selection of case studies chronicles how the energy efficiency of different buildings improved with help from Energy Star.

 

The Energy Star is available for 13 types of commercial buildings, including retail stores, hotels, schools, supermarkets and more. Nearly 9,000 buildings across the nation have earned the Energy Star for superior energy efficiency over the past decade and the numbers continue to climb daily. Energy Star buildings typically use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than average buildings.

 

To obtain the publication: http://www.energystar.gov/decade

 

To learn more about the Energy Star Commercial and Industrial Program: http://www.energystar.gov/buildings

 

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