March 19, 2012—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is kicking off the celebration of Energy Star’s 20th anniversary by recognizing the 2012 Energy Star award winners for their outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting America’s environment through superior energy efficiency. Over the past 20 years, with help from Energy Star partners, American families and businesses have reportedly saved about $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon pollution.
The 109 Energy Star award winners were chosen from nearly 20,000 partners from across the nation. Organizations are recognized in one of four Energy Star award categories: corporate commitment, sustained excellence, partner of the year, and excellence in delivering specific promotions.
Corporate Commitment: Sears Holdings Corporation is being recognized with Energy Star’s highest honor, which is reserved for partners whose superior achievements in energy efficiency span the breadth of the Energy Star program.
Sustained Excellence: Fifty-seven sustained excellence winners continue to raise the bar across their respective industries for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency. A sample of the facilities and energy-related and major corporation winners include: Andersen Corporation; Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International; CBRE Group, Inc.; GE Appliances and Lighting; JCPenney Company, Inc.; Jones Lang LaSalle; Kohls Department Stores, Inc.; Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc. (NEEP); Southern California Edison (SCE); Teachers Insurance and Annuity TIAA-CREF; USAA Real Estate Company; and Xcel Energy.
Partner of the Year: Thirty-six organizations are receiving these 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 services to consumers within their community. A few of the winners include: Boeing; Cleveland Clinic; Colgate-Palmolive Company; ComEd (Chicago); Commonwealth of Kentucky; Eastman Chemical Company; General Motors Company; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; and Staples, Inc.
Excellence: Fifteen organizations are being recognized for advancing energy-efficient products, homes or buildings and helping to expand the reach of the Energy Star program. A sample of these winners includes: Good Earth Lighting, Inc.; Hoshizaki America, Inc.; National Grid; Northwest Energy Efficiency Council; Sea Gull Lighting Products; and Sharp Electronics Corporation.
Launched in 1992 by EPA, Energy Star is a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. To date, nearly 16,500 buildings across all 50 states have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification, and the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, with more than 5 billion sold over the past 20 years.
