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EPA Honors Three Organizations for Energy Efficiency Under the Energy Star Program

Release Date: 12/5/2001
Contact Information: Donna Heron, (215) 814-5113

Donna Heron, (215) 814-5113

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has presented certificates of appreciation to Marple Township, Delaware County, Pa.; the Sheraton Rittenhouse Square Hotel, Philadelphia; and the University of the Arts of Philadelphia, for reducing pollution by participating in the Energy Star program.

The Energy Star Buildings Partnership, one of the voluntary programs developed by the EPA, aims to reduce pollution by promoting energy efficient building upgrades. The program stresses partnership with corporations, utilities, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments. Participants promote conversion to energy-efficient technology as a way to reduce electrical usage. The results are financial savings for the partners and less pollution for the planet.

Increasing energy efficiency is an important way to reduce the import of foreign oil and saving billions of dollars while preserving natural resources, cleaning the air and protecting the planet for future generations.

“The energy conservation actions taken by organizations like these demonstrate how voluntary partnerships can save businesses and consumers a significant amount of money,” said Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh.

The University of the Arts of Philadelphia was recognized for working with the Energy Star program since 1996. The university has applied retrofits and has used new technology in all of its buildings.

Marple Township in Delaware County was honored for upgrading to energy-efficient LED traffic lights. The total cost of the upgrade was $50,000. With a savings of $1,454 a month, the township will recoup its investment in just 34 months. The township reduced its use of electricity by 12,900 kwh per month. In addition township officials held an educational energy-efficiency workshop last March to inform community residents of how they could save energy in their homes.

The Sheraton Rittenhouse Square Hotel was honored for a variety of energy-efficient upgrades including installing compact flourescent lights in all common areas and guest rooms; the use of a state-of-the-art heating and cooling process that virtually eliminates the need for air-conditioning and heating equipment in each room. The Sheraton has saved $65,000 this year in energy costs, and projects that they will save the same amount next year. The Sheraton Rittenhouse Hotel is considered the nation’s first eco-smart hotel because of the innovative environmental, recycled and sustainable materials used throughout the 193-room hotel.

For more information on the Energy Star Buildings Partnership and how to prevent
pollution through energy efficiency, visit EPA’s web site at www.energystar.gov.

To discuss the program in more detail, contact Mindee Osno, EPA Region 3's Energy Star regional coordinator at 215-814-2074.