TheU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is kicking off the celebration ofEnergy Star’s 20th anniversary by recognizing the 2012 Energy Star award winners for their outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting America’senvironment through superior energy efficiency. Over the past 20 years, withhelp from Energy Star partners, American families and businesses have savedabout $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metrictons of carbon pollution.
“As we celebrate 20 years of progress through the Energy Star program, EPAis proud to congratulate the 2012 Energy Star award winners,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Thanks to their innovative thinking andcommitment to energy efficiency, these leaders are helping Americans findcost-effective ways to save energy in everything we do, which is good for ourenvironment, our health and our future.”
The 109 Energy Star award winners were chosen from nearly 20,000 partners fromacross the nation. Organizations are recognized in one of four Energy Staraward categories: corporate commitment, sustained excellence, partner of theyear, and excellence in delivering specific promotions.
Corporate Commitment: Sears Holdings Corporation is being recognized with thehighest honor, the Energy Star corporate commitment award. This award isreserved for partners whose superior achievements in energy efficiency span the breadth of the Energy Star program.
Sustained Excellence: Fifty-seven sustained excellence winners continue toraise the bar across their respective industries for outstanding achievementsin energy efficiency. A few of these winners include: Food Lion Family, Bloom,and Bottom Dollar Food; GE Appliances & Lighting; Gresham-Barlow SchoolDistrict; Hanesbrands Inc.; Nissan North America, Inc.; PepsiCo, Inc.; andSaint-Gobain.
Partner of the Year: Thirty-six organizations are receiving partner of the year awards for protecting the environment through energy efficient products,practices and services. These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, and provide efficient products and servicesto consumers within their community. A few of these winners include: ClevelandClinic; Colgate-Palmolive Company; General Motors Company; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Staples, Inc.; and The Boeing Company.
Excellence: Fifteen organizations are recognized with an excellence award foradvancing energy-efficient products, homes, or buildings and helping to expandthe reach of the Energy Star program. A few of these winners include: DesignTech Homes; DIRECTV; Good Earth Lighting, Inc.; and Sharp ElectronicsCorporation.
Launched in 1992 by EPA, Energy Star is a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Last year alone, Americans,with the help of the Energy Star program and its partners, saved approximately $23 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissionsequivalent to the annual emissions of 41 million vehicles. To date, more than1.3 million new homes and nearly 16,500 buildings across all 50 states haveearned EPA’s Energy Star certification. Today, the Energy Star label can befound on more than 60 different kinds of products with more than 5 billion soldover the past 20 years.
Complete list of 2012 award winners: www.energystar.gov/awards
More information on Energy Star 20th Anniversary: www.energystar.gov/20th
