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EPA recognizes Lurie Co. for efforts to save energy

Release Date: 02/21/2006
Contact Information: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254 / [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 06-OPA031


CHICAGO (Feb. 21, 2006) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 today recognized the Lurie Co. for its efforts to save energy at its 120 South LaSalle Street Building in Chicago, which recently achieved Energy Star status. Regional officials toured the building as guests of the company and presented a certificate to company officials.

Regional Administrator Thomas V. Skinner said: “President Bush and EPA are committed to improving the nation’s energy outlook, in part, by encouraging common-sense energy efficiency conservation measures like Energy Star. We congratulate the Lurie Co. for helping EPA define a new generation of efficient buildings that make sense for our environment and the bottom line.”

“Lurie Co. is delighted to be participating in the Energy Star program as well as the Building Owners and Managers Association Foundation’s energy efficiency program known as BEEP,” said Lurie Vice President Gary Wood, who is also chairman of the building association. “Of greatest value has been the benchmarking we have done through Energy Star combined with BEEP’s low-cost/no-cost approach using energy audits and best practices. These tools will allow us to save on energy and reduce atmospheric pollution.”

The 120 South LaSalle Street Building is 650,000 square feet. Upgrades included replacement windows, variable speed drives on motors, electric ballast for lighting and a computerized energy management system. It is one of nine Chicago buildings that have achieved Energy Star status.

EPA estimates that in 2004 alone, 65 billion kilowatt hours and $4.2 billion were saved by initiatives undertaken as part of EPA’s partnerships with the commercial building sector. Energy Star-qualified buildings generally use up to 40 percent less energy than typical buildings. Building owners earn Energy Star status by scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA’s energy performance rating system. Scores are based on actual energy use.

Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. In 2004 alone, Americans with the help of Energy Star saved $10 billion and saved enough electricity to power 24 million homes.

In 2005, EPA Region 5 conferred Energy Star status on 363 office buildings, schools, hospitals and public buildings because of their superior energy and environmental performance. They are among 2,500 buildings nationwide that received Energy Star status last year.

More information on Energy Star is at http://www.energystar.gov. More information on Building Owners and Managers Association International Foundation, a trade association, is at http://www.boma.org.