United States
Environmental Protection Agency
AND GREEN LIGHTS®
the rr^ark of
energy
-------
INTRODUCING THE ENERGY STAR® LABEL FOR BUILDINGS
The Mark Of Excellence in Energy Performance
^HH,
Consumers recognize that the ENERGY STAR
label on computers, televisions, and other appli-
ances is a symbol of energy efficiency. By look-
ing for the ENERGY STAR Label consumers can
^s*. *Ui choose a product that will lower their energy
bills and help prevent air pollution while offer-
ing superior product performance. For the first
time, a building can be labeled as ENERGY STAR
and receive recognition for its superior energy
performance. Like the other EPA/DOE initia-
tives, the ENERGY STAR Label for Buildings rep-
resents achievement of energy performance
relative to the market. Buildings that are among
the top 25 percent nationwide and maintain an
indoor environment that conforms to industry
standards can now be designated as ENERGY
STAR.
Benchmarking Energy Performance
Now building owners and managers can also
compare a building's energy performance relative
to the market, similar use buildings, or a portfo-
lio of buildings. At the core of the ENERGY STAR
Label for Buildings is a simple-to-use Internet-
based tool (located at www.epa.gov/buildings)
that catalogs all energy uses in a building, calcu-
lates an energy intensity, and benchmarks a
building's energy performance against similar-
use buildings in the United States and provides
quick, accurate evaluation of a building's energy
performance.
The ENERGY STAR Benchmarking Tool accounts
for the drivers of energy use that cannot be con-
trolled, such as location and weather, as well as
those drivers that are a reflection of your build-
ing's principal business activity, such as occupant
density and operating hours. Users simply enter
basic information including: building energy
consumption; operating characteristics; and
physical attributes to obtain a benchmark score
on a 0 to 100 scale. Buildings with a-score of 75
or higher qualify for the ENERGY STAR Label.
More importantly, the Statement of Energy Per-
formance, the result of the Benchmarking Tool,
offers objective documentation on a building's
efficiency. The ENERGY STAR Benchmarking
Tool can also help building owners and man-
agers set building energy-performance goals;
quantify energy consumption, cost, and pollu-
tion savings; and communicate building perfor-
mance to others.
Recognition for Achieving Excellence
By qualifying a building's performance through
ENERGY STAR, an organization can demonstrate
that it is serious about energy efficiency and its
commitment to the environment. "Every year
U.S. businesses pour $25 billion dollars of prof-
its down the drain in the form of wasted energy
from inefficient buildings. Energy-efficient
buildings not only conserve millions of dollars
in savings for businesses, they can also protect
the health and environment for all Americans by
reducing the pollution that contributes to global
warming," said Carol M. Browner, Administra-
tor EPA, in a prepared statement.
As an ENERGY STAR Building, the facility is pro-
vided an ENERGY STAR plaque and placed in the
Registry of ENERGY STAR Buildings located on the
ENERGY STAR Label for Buildings Web site.
Earning designation as an ENERGY STAR Build-
ing identifies your facility as a top performing
building contributing to an improved environ-
ment through reduced air emissions. Your occu-
pants, customers, constituents, and the general
public will recognize this accomplishment as a
reflection of your organization s commitment to
the health of its business, the building's occu-
pants, and the environment.
Getting Started
Approximately 25 percent of office buildings
now qualify for the ENERGY STAR Label. It is
estimated that buildings of average energy per-
formance could qualify by reducing energy use
30 to 35 percent through cost-effective upgrades
outlined by ENERGY STAR Buildings. As building
managers and owners implement energy-effi-
ciency upgrades, they can use the Benchmarking
Tool and the Statement of Energy Performance
to record progress toward their goals.
Page 2
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
-------
To assess a building's performance, log
on to the ENERGY STAR Label for
Buildings Web site at:
www. epa.gov/building.
Applications Now Being
Accepted
Applications are now being accepted
for commercial and public office
buildings. If your building scores a 75
or greater on the Benchmarking Tool
and is verified by a licensed Profes-
sional Engineer to maintain current
industry standards for indoor environ-
ment, then the building qualifies for
the ENERGY STAR Label. After receipt
of the verified Statement of Energy
Performance and an application letter,
EPA will register your building and
award you an ENERGY STAR plaque.
No fees are involved in using the
Benchmarking Tool or applying for
the Label and all supporting resources
are readily available from the Web
site.
Later this year additional building
types such as K-12 school and retail
stores will be eligible to utilize the
Benchmarking Tool and apply for the
Label. Visit the Web site,
www.epa.gov/buildings, to learn more
about the ENERGY STAR Label for
Buildings and to view a regularly
updated registry of ENERGY STAR
Buildings.
THE FIRST ENERGY STAR LABEL FOR BUILDINGS RECIPIENT
The City of San Diego, California
The city of San Diego, California
is firmly committed to energy-
efficient operations. A Partner in
EPA's ENERGY STAR Buildings
and a participant in DOE's Rebuild Ameri-
ca™, San Diego's Ridgehaven Building was
recendy awarded the first ENERGY STAR Label
for Buildings.
San Diego credits its success with die Ridge-
haven Building to its team of industry experts
from San Diego Gas and Electric, die Electric
Power Research Institute, and Public Technol-
ogy Inc., in addition to numerous consultants,
engineers, and architects. With a tight munici-
pal budget, die team decided to use off-the-
shelf technologies. Through trie use of readily
available energy-efficiency upgrades, diey were
able to reduce energy use at die Ridgehaven
Building by 60 percent.
"Our objectives were to walk die talk, to
demonstrate we could do widi limited resources
what we hope other people will do in the com-
munity, build an environmentally sound, water-
conserving facility widiin budget diat will save
time and money," said Environmental Services
Department Director, Richard L. Hayes.
The ENERGY STAR Label is awarded to build-
ings that score in the top 25 percent of their
building class for energy efficiency. San
Diego's Ridgehaven Building exceeded these
expectations by scoring in the top 10 percent.
This efficiency translates into savings of more
than $80,000 in energy expenses annually.
Over the next 10 years, the
Ridgehaven Building will
prevent an estimated 3,540
tons of carbon dioxide, 10
tons of sulfur dioxide, and 9
tons of nitrogen oxides from
being released into the
atmosphere. These green-
house gases direcdy con-
tribute to three major
environmental problems:
acid rain, smog, and global
climate change.
Ridgehaven Building, San Diego
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
Page 3
-------
BU I L D I N G S
IMPROVING ASSET VALUE THROUGH ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Commercial Real Estate and
ENERGY STAR Buildings
Utility costs make up nearly one-third of an
office building's operating expenses.
Improving a building's energy efficiency is a
smart way to lower costs, as well as increase
profitability and value. A 30 percent reduc-
tion in energy costs can translate into a six
percent increase in net operating income
(NOI). At a capitalization rate often per-
cent, each dollar of incremental income
can raise a building's appraised asset value
by $10.
To capture this value, EPA recently intro-
duced new ENERGY STAR Buildings tools to
meet the needs of the commercial real estate
market. This income-property sector com-
prises about one-third of U.S. commercial
and industrial floor space. Partners such as
Carr America, Equity Office Properties,
Mines, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Boston Prop-
erties have already committed to strategically
upgrade almost a billion square feet of owned
and managed office space.
Through this voluntary, profit-driven
opportunity, EPA provides property owners
and managers with unbiased technical
information, energy management tools and
training, and public recognition for out-
standing energy-efficiency performance.
One resource example is QuikScope, the
new financial analysis software from EPA
that provides the answers asset managers are
10
20 30
Percentage Energy Savings
40
50
looking for. Available at no cost to Partners,
the software uses "what if" scenarios to
show owners and managers which proper-
ties hold the greatest potential for increasing
NOI. QuikScope helps users calculate the
actual value of energy-efficiency improve-
ments in multi-tenant buildings and deter-
mine the relative importance of cost-recovery
strategies, potential rent increases, financing
and phase-in options, vacancy factors, and
future energy pricing.
"Energy efficiency drives NOI and asset
value.. .Quikscope shows you how," said
Joseph Stolarski, Senior Vice President and
Director of Technical Services, Jones Lang
LaSalle.
In addition, commercial real estate Partners
are encouraged to apply for the ENERGY
STAR Label for Buildings. The Mark of
Excellence in Energy Performance is
awarded to companies with superior energy
efficiency. It can also serve to differentiate
your property in the market and demon-
strate the value of enhanced energy effi-
ciency, lower operating costs, and
environmental responsibility for current and
prospective tenants.
Increasing the energy efficiency in multi-
tenant buildings constitutes a win-win situ-
ation for the economy and the environment.
Lower energy costs make buildings more
comfortable, convenient, and attractive—
and that means better tenant attraction and
retention, higher occupancy rates, and an
additional increase in the competitiveness
and value of properties. For the environ-
ment, energy efficiency helps prevent car-
bon dioxide emissions, which contribute to
global climate change.
For more information about creating value
with ENERGY STAR Buildings for commercial
real estate, call the toll free ENERGY STAR Hot-
line at 1-888-STAR YES (1-888-782-7937).
Page 4
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
-------
ENERGY STAR BUILDINGS AND GREEN LIGHTS HEALTHCARE PARTNERS
Integrating Energy-Efficient
Building Upgrades
In today's competitive healthcare mar-
ket, organizations are constantly
searching for innovative ways to con-
tain rising healthcare costs without
jeopardizing patient care. To remain
profitable, many healthcare organiza-
tions are slashing budgets, reducing
staff, or forming alliances with other
hospitals in an attempt to provide ser-
vices at lower costs. Fortunately, many
healthcare administrators are realizing
the money and energy-saving oppor-
tunities available through building-
wide, energy-efficiency upgrades.
Healthcare is one of die most energy
intensive industries in the United States.
Due to long operational hours (24 hours
a day) and space conditioning require-
ments, healthcare facilities average 228
kBtu per square foot per year—more
man twice as much energy per square
foot as typical office space. In addition,
hospitals spend an average of $2.26 per
square foot annually on energy and
lighting can account for up to 35 per-
cent of their total energy expenditures.
Recognizing the savings opportunities
available through energy-efficient
building upgrades, more than 875
hospitals and health systems across
the country have partnered with EPA
in an effort to reduce their mounting
energy costs, while also preventing
pollution. Since 1991, the ENERGY
STAR Buildings and Green Lights
Partnership has been helping hospitals
cut energy use and reduce operating
costs without compromising patient
care and comfort. Healthcare Partners
have begun to regard energy upgrades
not so much as operational expenses,
but instead, as long-term investments
to improve their bottom line.
In this, the first specialized supple-
ment to the Update, ENERGY STAR
Building and Green Lights healthcare
Partners share their partnership
achievements, these successful Part-
ners reduced utility bills, lowered
energy usage, and prevented pollution
through building-wide energy-effi-
cient retrofits.
The importance of
tracking energy data
The first way for a hospital system to
improve its energy savings is by analyz-
ing the organization's energy data. Par-
ticularly in the energy-intensive world
of healthcare, it is critical to know how
and when energy is being used. The
key to gaining control over energy use
is in tracking each facility's historical
electric, gas, oil and steam use, as well
as their associated peak demands.
QuikPlan, on of a series of ENERGY
STAR Buildings software analysis tools,
is a good way to organize this data.
Once this information is assembled,
pre-upgrade baseline data for each
building can be developed, enabling
facility managers to gauge the effec-
tiveness of energy upgrades against
baseline energy use.
From the standpoint of energy man-
agement, energy data can be con-
verted to a standard unit of measure,
such as Btu's per square foot. Facility
managers use this kind of measure to
pinpoint higher-than-expected usage
and take corrective action. Just as
important, the data can be used to
benchmark buildings against each
other and against top-performing
buildings in the healthcare industry.
A further reason for facility managers
to understand their energy use in
detail is to guard against major cost
swings due to variations in electric
and gas rates. Emerging utility dereg-
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
Page 5
-------
^
B U
• vo
1 LD
N BS
ulation is creating opportunities to
purchase electricity and gas from the
lowest cost supplier. After deregula-
tion, those energy managers who
know the most about their energy use
will be able to leverage that knowledge
to obtain the best energy contracts.
North
Memorial
Health Care
North Memorial Health Care
North Memorial Health Care in
Robinsdale, Minnesota, understands
the importance of tracking hospital's
energy use and cost data. Through a
comprehensive spreadsheet and sub-
metering system, the hospital can pin-
point where and how it is using
energy. Chillers and boilers are moni-
tored for efficiency and problems
with the physical plan are easily iden-
tified and remedied.
North Memorial's utility costs are
substantial. Energy data tracking
helps the energy team identify the
organizations highest energy costs,
and use this information as a basis for
determining the most feasible and
North Memorial Health Care Center
profitable building improvements.
Once new retrofits are implemented,
North Memorial continues to moni-
tor energy use in order to calculate
the success of the upgrades and to
show senior management the extent
of reductions in operating costs.
Capitalizing on new
technologies and applications
Technological advances and creative
applications in energy efficiency now
enable facility managers to get more
for their energy dollar without sacri-
ficing occupant comfort or indoor air
quality. Some of these technologies
include dimmable ballasts, occupancy
sensors for outside air control, and
variable speed drives.
When retrofitting lighting systems
from T12 to T8 lamps, hospital facility
managers can consider installing dim-
mable ballasts with photocells. Dim-
mable ballasts are ideal for areas in the
hospital diat are close to windows, so
diat available daylight can supplement
the indoor lighting and reduce the
burn hours of the lighting fixtures.
Another technological advancement
to maximize energy efficiency in hos-
pitals are occupancy sensors for venti-
lation control in
surgical rooms.
In this applica-
tion, the occu-
pancy sensor
detects when an
operating room is
in use and allows
the outside air
dampers to open
to 100 percent.
When the room
is unoccupied,
the sensor sends
a signal to reset
the dampers and allow only the mini-
mum outside air as required by local
codes. This system can also be moni-
tored and controlled by the hospital's
energy management system.
Until recently, most energy systems
were designed so that fans, compres-
sors, and pump motors operate at a
single (full) speed. Variable speed dri-
ves save energy by allowing equip-
ment to operate only to the extent
necessary to meet the requirements of
the building. Savings come from the
reduction in energy needed to operate
these systems, with the payoff result-
ing in lower energy bills and extended
equipment life.
Mercy
Mercy Hospital (Pittsburgh)
Using the ENERGY STAR Buildings
five-stage approach, Mercy Hospital
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania instituted
a comprehensive energy plan that
resulted in operational and cost sav-
ings of more than $1 million. Work-
ing under a performance contract
with ENERGY STAR Buildings Ally,
Johnson Controls, Mercy retrofitted
lighting to high-efficiency T8 lamps
and electronic ballasts, expanded an
energy management system to allow
for better monitoring and control,
installed variable speed drives on
chilled water pumps, and replaced
chillers and cooling towers with new
high-efficiency equipment. Most
importantly, the upgrades to the
975,000 square foot hospital were
complete with minimum disruption
of patient service and have allowed
Mercy to maintain a clean, comfort-
able environment that supports the
healing process.
Page 6
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
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PROVIDENCE
HOSPITAL
Providence Hospital
Providence Hospital, a 1.2 million
square foot hospital in Washington,
DC, installed 10 variable speed drives
(VSDs) on the hospitals cooling tower
fans, supply air fans, chilled water
pumps, and condenser water pumps.
Currently, the hospital's facilities man-
agers are using the ENERGY STAR
Buildings QuikFan software tool to
determine the savings potential of
installing additional VSDs. Providence
also renovated its chiller plant with
three new chillers. And, according to
Manager of Engineering Andy Fox, the
new steam-powered chillers allow die
hospital to comply with CFC regula-
tions and take advantage of favorable
gas prices. As a result of the energy-effi-
ciency upgrades, Providence experi-
enced minimal increases in total energy
use despite the addition of a 200,000
square foot nursing home facility.
Paoli Memorial Hospital
Jefferson Health System
Paoli Hospital
Paoli Memorial Hospital, a 330,000
square foot hospital located in Paoli,
Pennsylvania, is using occupancy sen-
sor ventilation control technology to
save money while meeting fresh air
requirements in its operating rooms.
Paoli has two air handling units serv-
ing six operating rooms. Sensors
wired to the lighting circuit allow fans
to increase the ventilation to 100 per-
cent outside air when occupied.
When the operating rooms are unoc-
cupied, the fan speed is decreased to
allow for minimum outside air. The
occupancy sensor control technology
is producing energy savings between
30 and 40 percent compared to a
constant air volume system. Best of
all, the new technology performs
without compromising local code
requirements for ventilation or com-
fort for surgical staff and patients.
Paoli is also actively retrofitting lights
and replacing motors with more
energy-efficient models.
Leveraging savings
for energy improvements
Energy upgrades are one of a few capi-
tal investments that generate cast flow
to actually pay for themselves. Techno-
logically advanced lighting systems,
variable speed drives, and high-effi-
ciency chillers can generate returns on
investment of 20 percent and more.
For energy-intensive healdicare facili-
ties, with long operating hours and
strict temperature and humidity
requirements, the opportunity to save
is even greater than in other industries.
Lack of direct, out-of-pocket funding
does not have to postpone energy-
improvement projects, and should not
stand in the way of achieving attractive
returns. The ENERGY STAR Buildings
five-stage approach points to a number
Paoli Memorial Hospital
of tune-up measures, including con-
trols adjustments, preventative mainte-
nance, and testing and balancing, that
can be implemented at little or no cost.
For capital-intensive measures, some
utilities have rebates available for energy
upgrades, and state energy offices often
provide technical support and access to
low-cost financing. Creative alternatives
even exist where future savings streams
pay for the new energy equipment,
without any up-front investment on the
part of the healthcare organization. The
most common of these is performance
contracting, in which energy services
companies provide the capital and per-
form die installations, recovering dieir
investment through the savings that die
projects generate.
JOSEPHS
HOSPITAL
St. Joseph's Hospital (Wl)
St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa
Falls, Wisconsin has reaped the bene-
fits of reinvesting its energy rebates
and savings. Northern States Power
Company provided rebates for a
motor conversion project in die more
than 200,000 square foot facility. The
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
Page 7
-------
St. Joseph's Hospital (Wl)
rebates and energy savings from the
project were then funneled back into
additional motor conversion upgrades.
Harold Walters, Coordinator of Plant
Services, credits the ENERGY STAR
Buildings and Green Lights with pro-
viding the initial leverage to help
push the motor upgrade project for-
ward. With senior management sup-
porting and encouraging St. Joseph's
participation in the partnership,
greater priority was given to energy-
efficient retrofits. With ENERGY STAR
Buildings, Walters believes he would
still be fighting for project funding.
Communicating your
energy success
One of the best ways to encourage
the more efficient use of energy and
foster executive support for energy-
improvement projects is through
effective communication. Many
energy users do not realize the dra-
matic difference that they can make
to an organization's bottom line by
being energy smart, sometimes reduc-
ing energy costs by as much as five
percent through behavior alone.
Using the ENERGY STAR Buildings
communications tools including press
releases, newsletters, and brochures,
facility managers can communicate
simple measures to occupants, like
turning off lights or activating the
ENERGY STAR features on their com-
puters. Moreover, organizations can
see the public relations value in dis-
seminating positive messages such as
the effect that better lighting has on
the work environment, or how
upgraded chillers improve building
comfort—not to mention the dollar
savings and environmental benefits
that are the by-products of reduced
energy use.
Fauquier Hospital
Fauquier Hospital
Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton, Vir-
ginia has found creative ways to com-
municate the success of its Energy
Management (EM) plan to its more
than 600 employees. The hospital puts
a high priority on energy efficiency
and the facilities department works
closely with the public relations staff to
run energy program feature stories and
photos in the hospital's monthly
employee newsletter. The facilities
group also took before-and-after pho-
tos of the energy upgrades, and has
turned them into a slide show that is
being used to promote the success and
benefits to the hospital. The show has
been presented to the Board of
Trustees, employees, and stakeholders.
Realizing the benefits
of partnership
The Partners featured in this supple-
ment, along with hundreds of other
healthcare organizations across the
country, are enjoying the money- and
energy-saving opportunities available
through energy-efficient building
retrofits. By following the EPA's
proven five-stage energy strategy,
ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green
Lights healthcare Partners have expe-
rienced an average annual savings of
$0.63 per square foot. That's equiva-
lent to saving $899 per bed!
ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green
Lights Partners achieve their energy sav-
ings with die assistance of unbiased
technical information and support from
EPA. Software, educational opportuni-
ties, Partner networking, facility case
studies, and technical documents have
helped theses organizations save as
much as 30 percent on utility bills.
In addition to the valuable technical
resources, Partners are offered com-
munications support to promote their
pollution-prevention efforts. Press
releases, newsletter and trade journal
articles, and regional recognition
events help healthcare Partners cele-
brate their energy-efficiency successes.
Furthermore, ENERGY STAR Buildings
and Green Lights Partners are helping
to protect the environment. Eighty-
eight percent of the energy generated in
the United States is produced by burn-
ing fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or nat-
ural gas. This process produces harmful
nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide
gases. Nitrogen oxides contribute to
smog and acid rain, while carbon diox-
ide is linked to global climate change.
By eliminating wasted energy, health-
care facilities are both saving money
and preventing air pollution.
To learn more about how your
healthcare organization can capitalize
on the benefits offered through EPA's
voluntary ENERGY STAR Buildings and
Green Lights Partnership, visit the
Web site at www.epa.gov/buildings, or
call the toll-free ENERGY STAR Hotline
at 1-888-STARYES (1-888-782-7937).
Page B
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
-------
REALIZING THE BENEFITS OF GREEN POWER
Another Approach to Pollution Prevention
Due to widespread interest among con-
sumers for environmentally responsible
energy options, an increasing number
of utilities and other energy service
providers are now offering renewable or
"green" power—electricity generated
from clean, nonpolluting sources such
as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and
landfill gas. For ENERGY STAR Build-
ings Partners, these new products rep-
resent opportunities for organizations
to further their environmental and pol-
lution-prevention efforts.
Green Power Is Growing
With the advent of utility restructuring
and consumer choice, current trends
signal an increase in consumer demand
away from conventional sources and
toward green power. This is projected
to not only decrease the use of conven-
tional energy sources, but also increase
investments in green power capacity.1
To date, more than 60 utilities and
energy service providers have estab-
lished green power programs.2 Retail
access pilot programs have either been
completed or are currently underway
in the Pacific Northwest, Massachu-
setts, and New Hampshire.
More than a dozen states, such as
California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania,
are now beginning to restructure their
utility power generation industries.
With the opening of the California
retail electricity market to competi-
tion last April, several energy service
providers, including Edison Source,
Green Mountain Energy Services,
PG&E Energy Services, and Sacra-
mento Municipal Utility District
(SMUD), have made green power
programs and renewable energy
options available to their customers.
Green Power
for the Commercial
and Industrial Market
In the commercial and industrial
marketplace, the use of green power
benefits companies by enhancing
environmental image and community
relations, especially if the green power
source is local. Several companies,
such as Patagonia and Toyota, are
already benefiting from the use of
green power. Patagonia intends to
purchase 1 million kWh per year of
100 percent renewable energy from
Enron Energy Services' new 16-MW
wind power facility. The company is
using power from qualified, in-state
renewable projects until the wind
project becomes operational in early
1999.3 Toyota Motor Sales, USA
annually purchases 38 million kWh
of Edison Source's Earth Source
brand of renewable power derived
from solar, wind, biomass, and geot-
hermal renewable energy sources.4
Both companies have also been certi-
fied by the Center for Resource Solu-
tions Green-e program as providing
power that is at least 50 percent
renewable, and can use the Green-e
certification logo in corporate market-
ing and communications materials.
Green Power Benefits
the Environment
By its very definition, green power pro-
duces significantly less pollution than
conventional energy sources, such as
coal and oil. In 1996, utilities were
responsible for 36 percent of carbon
dioxide (CO2)5, 73 percent of sulfur
dioxide (SO2), and 27 percent of nitro-
gen oxide (NOX) national emissions.6
These emissions contribute to global
warming, acid rain, and smog. Further-
more, supplying these conventional
energy sources damages trie environ-
ment through activities such as mining,
drilling, and pipeline installation.
Greater use and availability of green
power versus fossil fuels will reduce
emissions of harmful pollutants and
other negative effects of conventional
power sources. For example, in Cali-
fornia, 55 new renewable projects will
be operational by early next year—
helping to avoid the annual release of
286,113 tons of CO2; 1,300 tons of
SO2; and 1,634 tons of NOX.7 These
projects serve the same goals as the
Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP)
by reducing CO2 emissions linked to
greenhouse gases and global warming.
Green Power and ENERGY STAR
Organizations in support of CCAP
now have even more options for pre-
venting pollution. They can join the
thousands ENERGY STAR Buildings and
Green Lights participants by increasing
their energy efficiency and choosing
cleaner energy options. Energy
providers also can do their part by
developing, actively supporting, and
promoting green power initiatives.
To learn more about he benefits of
green power visit the Interstate
Renewable Energy Council Web site
at http://www.eren.doe.gov/irec.
1 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
(EREN), Department of Energy
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Ibid
5 "1996 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United
States," Energy Information Administration, Department
of Energy, 1997, Table 6.
6 "National Air Pollution Emission Trends, 1990-1996,"
Environmental Protection Agency, 1997, Appendix A.
7 "How Emerging Green Markets Help Respond to Global
Climate Change," Renewable Energy Marketing Board,
1998.
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
Page 9
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REFLECTING ON THE VALUE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY
1998 Annual Report
ENOW? STAR Buildings'
and Gram Lights'
Every year, EPA thanks participants for their
pollution prevention efforts and reviews the
previous year's accomplishments by publish-
ing an annual report. The report highlights
Partners' and Allies success in implementing
energy-efficiency technologies and reducing
the emissions of air pollutants into the
atmosphere.
The theme of the 1998 ENERGY STAR
Buildings and Green Lights Annual Report
is the value of energy efficiency. Although
many variables may affect the success of
an organization, the strategic energy man-
agement of ENERGY STAR Buildings par-
ticipants indicates an unmistakable link
between energy savings and enhanced
environmental performance.
"ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green Lights
participants are demonstrating that it is pos-
sible to protect the global climate while
simultaneously strengthening their financial
performance and the American economy.
We've heard many people in the U.S. and
around the world say that this can't be done,
that acting now to reduce carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere will harm our economies.
The accomplishments of ENERGY STAR
Buildings and Green Lights send a different
message," wrote Carol M. Browner, EPA
Administrator, in the introductory letter to
participants.
The Annual Report was mailed to partici-
pants in July. For more information on this
publication, visit the ENERGY STAR Buildings
Web site at www.epa.gov/buildings or call
the ENERGY STAR Hotline at 1-888-STAR
YES (1-888-782-7937).
ACCESSING THE LATEST PARTNERSHIP INFORMATION
New ENERGY STAR Buildings Web Site
The ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green
Lights Partnership Web site has a new look.
In February 1999, the partnership unveiled
its more functional, business-oriented Web
site. In addition to its updated appearance,
the Web site is now simpler to navigate,
offering easy access to partnership benefits,
tools and resources, and program news.
The revised site is also more compre-
hensive, providing relevant information
for both Partners and interested organi-
zations, including information on the
latest upgrade technologies and case
studies highlighting successful Partner
upgrade projects. To date, the site's most
popular features are the down-loadable
software tools and access to the Ally Ser-
vices and Products Directory and the
ENERGY STAR Label for Buildings
Benchmarking Tool.
"We strive to make the site more user
friendly, with easy-to-navigate menus and
links to useful program resources," said Renee
Gutshall, the Web site development manager.
The partnership plans to make frequent
updates to the site. In the next few months,
visitors can look forward to a number of new,
helpful features including searchable partner-
ship lists, a calculator to project energy sav-
ings, and a running pollution-prevention tally.
The site will also be used as a means of rec-
ognizing participants and communicating
their successes. Winners of the Partner and
Ally of the Year awards, as well as Partners
who excel in the Earth Day Challenge, will
be posted on the site.
Visit the new ENERGY STAR Buildings and
Green Lights Partnership Web site at
www.epa.gov/buildings.
Page 10
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
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INCREASING EMPLOYEE MORALE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Study Confirms Link
Since its inception in 1991, ENERGY
STAR Buildings and Green Lights has
changed the way many organizations
look at their business. Using today's
advanced technologies, participants in
the partnership are saving energy,
maximizing natural resources, and
preventing pollution. While compre-
hensive building upgrades have a sig-
nificant financial and environmental
impact, energy-efficient operations
also improve employee productivity
and morale by enhancing the comfort
level and appearance of a facility.
Yet, a recent nationwide study con-
ducted by Roper Starch Worldwide
for Cone, Inc. indicates that support-
ing an environmental initiative can
positively affect employee morale in
another way. According to the 1999
Cone/Roper Cause Related Trends
Report, businesses and organizations
that are actively involved in cause-
related issues, such as environmental
protection, have greater rates of
employee satisfaction, pride, and
company loyalty. Two thousand
Americans were questioned in-person
and the following results emerged1:
• 90% of employees from companies
supporting a social cause feel proud
of their company's values as
opposed to 56% of employees at
organizations that do not support
cause-related issues.
• 87% of employees from companies
supporting a social cause feel a
strong sense of loyalty to their
employer as opposed to 67% of
employees at organizations not
involved with causes.
• 56% of the employees polled want
their companies to become more
involved in cause-related issues.
The study also found diat cause-related
programs served as an important busi-
ness practice to help companies recruit
and retain employees.
For ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green
Lights participants, demonstrating
environmental leadership through
energy efficiency can lead to increased
employee morale and loyalty.
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
Dollar General Corporation
In March 1999, Dollar General Cor-
poration, a discount retail chain with
3,700 stores throughout the middle
and southern United States, launched
a comprehensive "Energize TEAMShare"
energy-efficiency awareness program to
educate its employees and customers
about he benefits of saving energy.
By tracking its energy use, Dollar
General determined that if its stores
reduced their energy costs by 10 per-
cent, the company would save more
than $3 million annually. To help
meet this company-wide goal, Dollar
General began promoting its energy-
efficiency efforts and participation in
ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green
lights by printing the ENERGY STAR
logo along with the phrase "Prevent-
ing Pollution through Energy Effi-
ciency" on shopping bags.
In addition, EPA helped die company
produce an "Energy Efficiency Aware-
ness Kit" that included the develop-
ment of a cartoon superhero called
"Energy Avenger". The Energy Avenger
Kit includes a poster, fact sheets with
energy-saving tips for the home and
the store, and stickers reminding
employees to turn off lights, monitor
thermostats controls, and close doors.
"The partnership with ENERGY STAR
has been very beneficial to Dollar
General. From product specifications
to internal promotion campaigns,
ENERGY STAR has provided valuable
assistance that almost guarantees these
programs' success," said Daniel Stone.
Dollar General continues to develop
innovative ways to communicate its
commitment to pollution prevention.
Currendy, the company is offering
cash bonuses to participating stores
that demonstrate their energy-saving
accomplishments.
For more information about how EPA
can help your
organization
promote its
environmental
leadership,
please call the
ENERGY STAR
hodine at
1-888-STAR
YES (1-888-
782-7937).
Energize TEAMSHARE
Turn Out the
Lights When
You Leave
the Room
ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green Lights Update Summer 1999
Page I1
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....M Green
^Lights
ENERGY STAR program
The ENERGY STAR Buildings & Green
Lights Update is a free quarterly publi-
cation with a circulation of more than
35,000. Because the Update is circu-
lated not only to ENERGY STAR Buildings
and Green Lights participants but also
interested members of the general
public, receipt of this publication is not
an indication that your organization
is a participant. To add your name to
the subscription list or to find out how
to join the partnership, please call the
toll-free ENERGY STAR Hotline at
1 -888-STAR YES (1 -888-782-m7).;
The Update encourages participants
to submit articles of interest and
provide input on past and future
issues. Although the publication of
submissions is not guaranteed,
please forward materials
back to: Update Ed!ioiij
SW, (6202J), Washing
or fax to (202)-565*2Q$|;f|f _
~ salinas.sol@epamail.epa.gov . %.,
£i{y Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with soy-based inks
Online
Information about the
ENERGY STAR Buildings
and Green Lights Partnership
and other ENERGY STAR
programs are available online.
ENERGY STAR Buildings
and Green Lights
www.epa.gov/buildings
ENERGY STAR® Label for Buildings
www.epa.gov/buildinglabel
Ally Services and Products
(ASAP) Directory
www.epa.gov/asap
Resources
To learn more about pollution and other envi-
ronmental issues, visit the related Web sites
listed below. These sites address ways you, you
organization, and your community can help
protect the Earth and its natural resources.
Global Warming Home Page
www.epa.gov/globalwarming
Access information on the science of global
warming; current and projected impacts; inte
national and U.S. policies and progress; and
opportunities for individuals and corporation
to get involved.
Software for Environmental Awareness
www.epa.gov/seahome
Download free, interactive software on a variet)
of environmental topics including pollution prt
vention, resource conservation, and air quality.
vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(6202J)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
BULK RATE
Postage and Fees Paid
EPA
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