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EPA REGION 4 CELEBRATES EARTH DAY BY RECOGNIZING ITS PARTNERS IN THE ENERGY STAR BUILDINGS PROGRAM

Release Date: 04/21/1999
Contact Information: Dawn Harris: EPA Press and Media Relations, 404-562-8421

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in celebration of Earth Day, recognizes St. Luke's Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida; Lockheed Martin SLRC, Orlando, Florida; Siemens ICN, Orlando, Florida; Publix Supermarkets, Lakeland, Florida and Dollar General, Scottsville, Kentucky for participating in the Agency's Energy Star Buildings Partnership program. The companies are being recognized for success in reducing their energy needs and protecting the environment through upgrading their buildings with energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment.

"Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect upon the success these organizations have had reducing their energy needs, saving money, and preventing pollution by implementing energy efficiency and strategic energy management," noted John H. Hankinson, Jr., EPA Regional Administrator in Atlanta. "We are proud of the efforts our Partners are making to protect the environment by increasing the energy efficiency of their buildings."

The energy to run commercial and industrial buildings in the United States produces 14 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. and costs $90 billion a year. If implemented in every U.S. commercial and industrial building, the Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights upgrade approach could prevent up to 35 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with these buildings and cut the nation's energy bill by up to $25 billion annually.

Initiated in 1991, Energy Buildings and Green Lights currently has more than 2,800 participants nationwide. As of November 1998, participants reduced their energy use by 22.4 billion kWh and annually saved more than $593 million. Cumulatively, Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights participants have prevented the emissions of 35 billion pounds of carbon dioxide — equivalent to removing the pollution from 1.4 million cars. EPA predicts that by the year 2000 more than 44.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions will be eliminated by the Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights Partnership Program.

For additional information about the organizations listed above and facts about their progress in Energy Star Buildings, visit the Earth Day energy efficiency "virtual exposition" web site at www.epa.gov/buildings.