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NINE COMPANIES MEET THE EARTH DAY CHALLENGE

Release Date: 4/19/1999
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

PHILADELPHIA - If energy-efficient technologies were installed in every U.S. commercial and industrial building, the Energy Star Buildings' upgrade approach could prevent up to 35 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from these buildings -- equal to the pollution from 20 million cars.

Today, EPA recognized nine companies who are meeting the Earth Day Challenge. They are voluntarily reducing air pollution emissions which otherwise would contribute to smog, acid rain, and global climate change.

"We are proud that many companies save energy in commercial and industrial buildings through EPA’s ENERGY STAR buildings partnership, but each year it is important for EPA to highlight the super energy savers. Earth Day is the perfect time. We are proud of our partners who are protecting the environment by increasing the energy efficiency of their buildings," said EPA Regional Administrator W. Michael McCabe.

They save energy and as a result, reduce harmful pollution, by using energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment.

EPA’s outstanding ENERGY STAR partners in the mid-Atlantic region are:

SMG, Philadelphia, PA
Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Boscov’s Department Stores, Reading, PA
Allegheny University Hospitals, Philadelphia, PA
Engineered Services Incorporated, Chantilly, VA
Mary Washington Hospital, Fredicksburg, VA
Washington County Health System, Hagerstown, MD
Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

Starting November 1998, more than 3,000 Energy Star Buildings participants reduced their energy use by 22.4 billion kilowatt hours and prevented the emissions of 35.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide nationally.

A total of 506 participants in the mid-Atlantic region have saved $32 million a year in energy costs.

The yearly elimination is 768 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 8.5 million pounds of sulfur dioxide and 92.7 million pounds of nitrogen oxides has the same environmental benefit of planting 100,000 acres of trees and removing 75,000 cars from the highways for the next ten years. This helps us all breathe a little easier.

When fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, or natural gas are burned to generate electricity, emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides are released. These emissions contribute to smog, acid rain, and global climate change.

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.