Energy Star Label Goes to 26 Buildings in EPA Region 7

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded its prestigious ENERGY STAR label for 2006 to 26 buildings in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. The label is the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy performance.

Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR label use about 35 percent less energy than average buildings while still providing quality service and comfort to occupants.

John B. Askew, administrator for EPA Region 7 - which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska - said, "We are pleased that so many buildings in our region have been recognized for their energy efficiency efforts. The achievements of the building owners and managers demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship while reducing energy costs."

Organizations earn the ENERGY STAR label by using EPA's national energy performance rating system to generate energy-efficiency ratings for their buildings relative to similar buildings across the country. The rating system is available for public and commercial buildings such as schools, dormitories, hotels, hospitals and grocery stores.

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program that helps businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. More than 3,200 buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR label since in 1999. The ENERGY STAR buildings are in all 50 states and represent almost 575 million square feet.

Energy loss from commercial buildings represents almost 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $12 billion in 2005 and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from 23 million vehicles.

The ENERGY STAR is probably best known as a label for superior energy performance on home appliances, electronics, and other products; it also identifies the nation's top-performing buildings.

A complete list of buildings, by state, is available on the Web at www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

The 2006 buildings in EPA Region 7 are:

IOWA
Davenport Community School District, 20 buildings
Story County Human Services Building, Ames
Story County Administration Building, Nevada

MISSOURI
2345 Grand, Kansas City, 28-story office building
St. Francis Hospital and Health Services, Maryville

NEBRASKA
Union Pacific Headquarters, Omaha
Weitz Plaza, Omaha

Source: U.S. EPA

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