EPA Awards Energy Star Status to 53 Buildings In Midwest
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Energy Star status to 53 office buildings, schools, hospitals, public buildings, and college dormitories in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin in 2006.
“These buildings are among the nation’s top energy savers,” said Regional Administrator Mary A. Gade. “They use about one-third less energy than average buildings which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves money.”
Commercial buildings account for nearly 18 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings earn the Energy Star rating by scoring in the top 25 percent on EPA’s national energy performance rating system. Scores are based on actual energy use.
The 930 Energy Star buildings selected nationally in 2006 will save an estimated $420 million annually in lower energy bills and prevent 4 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to emissions from more than 300,000 vehicles. Nationwide, since the program began, more than 3,200 top performing buildings have earned the Energy Star for cuts to their energy bills.
EPA started the Energy Star program in 1992 to help businesses and consumers protect the environment through energy efficiency. It is probably best known as a label for energy performance on home appliances and electronics. In the last year alone, Energy Star helped consumers and businesses save $12 billion and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from 23 million cars.
The Midwest buildings that received the Energy Star label in 2006 are:
Wisconsin–Madison: Cherokee Heights Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, Midvale Elementary School, Muir Elementary School, WEEBF Office Building, RenewAire Renovation. Cornell: Cornell Elementary School. Cuba City: Cuba City Elementary School. Florence: Haberkom’s Supermarket. Plymouth: Horizon Elementary School. Ashland: Lake Superior Elementary School. Kenosha: Lance Middle School. Little Chute: Little Chute Elementary School. Milwaukee: Milwaukee VA Regional Office. Eau Claire: Northstar Middle School. Somerset: Somerset Elementary School. Washburn: Washburn Elementary, Middle, and High School.
Michigan–Detroit: John D. Dingell VAMC, Compuware Headquarters, Renaissance Center, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Comstock Park: Alpine Elementary School. Grand Rapids: Fairview Elementary School, Kenowa Hills Intermediate School. Dearborn: iTek Center, Manufacturing Procurement Operations of Ford Motor Co., Regent Court Building. Ann Arbor: VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
Minnesota–Minnetonka: 5995 Opus Parkway, Crescent Ridge II. Mankato: Blue Earth County Courthouse. Montrose: Montrose Elementary School. Oakdale: NSP Skyview. St. Paul: St. Paul Travelers CHQ. Buffalo: Tatanka Elementary School. Minneapolis: US Bancorp Center, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Minneapolis Campus.
Ohio–Cleveland: Cuyahoga County Board of Elections; Jane Edna Hunter, Virgil Brown, and Whitlatch office buildings of Cuyahoga County. Canton: Giant Eagle Supermarket. Westerville: Giant Eagle Supermarket.
Illinois–Chicago: Three First National Plaza. Charleston: Three dormitories at Eastern Illinois University. They are Greek Court 1016, 1017, and 1030. This is the first year that college residences have received the Energy Star label.
Indiana–Floyds Knobs: Floyds Knobs K-12 School. New Albany: Galena and Grant elementary schools. Indianapolis: Market Tower.