Campaign for lighting efficiency in parking lots and garages recognizes leaders

by Brianna Crandall — April 21, 2014—On April 15, 2014, at IFMA’s Facility Fusion event in Washington, DC, the Lighting Energy Efficiency in Parking (LEEP) Campaign co-organizers recognized 12 organizations for leading the way in energy-efficient lighting and controls in parking lots and garages. The winners and other candidates are reportedly saving nearly 45 million kilowatt-hours and $4 million annually by upgrading to high-efficiency lighting in 500,000 parking spaces nationwide.

The LEEP Campaign is organized by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, the Green Parking Council (GPC), and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Alliance.

To date, more than 100 U.S. businesses and organizations are participating in the campaign and planning or installing energy-efficient lighting in their parking lots and garages. In the past year, these organizations have committed to install efficient lighting across more than 270 million square feet of parking space—cutting energy use by up to 90 percent, say the organizers.


A custom Web-based lighting control system has reportedly led to big energy savings for Kimco Realty sites.
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According to DOE, building owners spend more than $6 billion to light their parking lots and garages, and much of this could be saved if parking lots and garages were upgraded to the most efficient lighting solutions. LEEP Campaign participants have upgraded their facilities to high-efficiency metal halide, fluorescent, and light-emitting diode (LED) solutions that last three times longer than their previous technology, and by using controls are able to reduce energy use when parking facilities are not in use.

The 2014 awardees and categories are:

  • Highest Absolute Annual Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Area – Cox Enterprises, Inc.
  • Highest Absolute Annual Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Structure – MC Realty Group LLC
  • Highest Absolute Annual Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Structure – MGM Resorts International
  • Largest Percentage of Facilities Upgraded (minimum of five facilities) – MGM Resorts International
  • Highest Percentage Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Area – Regency Centers
  • Highest Percentage Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Area – Marine Corps Base Quantico
  • Highest Percentage Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Area – Walmart Stores, Inc.
  • Highest Absolute Annual Energy Savings in a New Construction Single Parking Area – Walmart Stores, Inc.
  • Highest Percentage Energy Savings in a New Construction Single Parking Area – Walmart Stores, Inc.
  • Largest Portfolio-wide Annual Absolute Energy Savings – Walmart Stores, Inc.

  • Highest Percentage Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Structure – Thedacare
  • Highest Percentage Energy Savings in a Retrofit at a Single Parking Structure – University of Minnesota
  • Highest Absolute Annual Energy Savings in a New Construction Single Parking Structure – JBG Companies
  • Highest Percentage Energy Savings in a New Construction Single Parking Structure – JBG Companies
  • Best Use of Lighting Controls in a Single Facility – California Lighting Technology Center
  • Best Use of Lighting Controls in a Single Facility – Howard Hughes Corporation
  • Largest Absolute Number of Facility Upgrades – Kimco Realty Corporation

Award definitions, including award calculation and determination details, are available online. A video of the 2014 LEEP Campaign Awards Presentation is also available on the LEEP Web site.

The LEEP Campaign will offer a second round of awards to high-achieving facilities at the BOMA International 2015 Every Building Conference and Expo in Los Angeles, California, June 28-30.