November 24, 2003—Voluntary programs succeeded in reducing 43 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2002—over 10 percent more than 2001, according to an annual report issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency on Energy Star and other federal programs.
Highlights from the report include:
- Energy Star has developed partnerships with 1,250 manufacturers. More than one billion Energy Star labeled products have been purchased to date.
- With Energy Star, Americans saved more than $7 billion on their energy bills in 2002.
- EPA’s national energy performance rating system has been used to evaluate and benchmark the energy efficiency of more than 15,000 buildings so far. Of them, 1,100 earned the Energy Star in 2002.
- Thirty-four companies joined the Climate Leaders Program since it was launched in early 2002 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Green Power Partnership 2002 with more than ninety partners totaled more than 500,000 megawatt hours of green power purchase commitments—including 250,000 Mwh from new renewable generation.
Copies of the report, “Change for the Better: Energy Star and Other Voluntary Programs,” are available online or by calling 888/782-7937.
