EPA Awards Colorado Governor’s Energy Office ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) along with more than 50 statewide partners has been has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.
Colorado’s program was selected for its success in supporting the construction of energy-efficient ENERGY STAR New Homes. These homes are typically 20 percent to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes, improving quality and comfort while reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Congratulations to our many outstanding statewide partners and the GEO for this award,” Gov. Ritter said. “Energy efficiency is one of the most important components of Colorado’s New Energy Economy. Building new homes that save energy and money means jobs in the efficiency industry. It also bolsters our energy security and protects our environment and climate.”
The EPA has linked significant cost and pollution savings to its ENERGY STAR program. Last year alone Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $17 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles.
In 2009, the GEO partnered with more than 50 community sponsors – including local governments, non-profits, utilities, real estate professionals, homebuilders, home energy raters – on the construction of ENERGY STAR qualifying new homes. The hard work of partnering organizations has made the program successful across Colorado.
“Chaffee County is really benefiting from its partnership in the ENERGY STAR program. Due to the support from the Governor’s Energy Office many of our new homes are being built to ENERGY STAR standards,” said Kathryn Wadsworth, Chaffee County ENERGY STAR Coordinator. “Chaffee County is committed to energy efficiency and conservation efforts and the ENERGY STAR New Home program is helping us meet that goal.”
The work of GEO and its partners resulted in 2,350 new homes in Colorado earning the ENERGY STAR label in 2009, making for a record of nearly 33 percent market share of all new home construction – and up dramatically from 8 percent in 2006. The GEO also helped register more than 70 new Colorado ENERGY STAR New Homebuilders in 2009, pushing the total of qualified ENERGY STAR homebuilders to more than 356 in the state.
Other accomplishments the EPA considered in its ENERGY STAR award to the GEO and its Colorado partners:
- The GEO and partners presented more than 57 ENERGY STAR trainings to more than 1,880 Colorado building industry professionals.
- Highlights of Colorado’s efforts include grants from GEO totaling $248,500 for training, education and promotional efforts statewide.
- The program established 11 regional ENERGY STAR New Homes Programs in Colorado, supported by 54 local sponsors, including cities, counties, utilities and nonprofits.
“The GEO and its partners are leading the way in creating and implementing solutions to climate change through greater energy efficiency,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “The Colorado program has helped its customers understand how they can help protect our environment while saving energy and money.”
The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
For additional information, visit www.coloradoenergystarhomes.com/
Tags: ENERGY STAR, ENERGY STAR Boulder, ENERGY STAR Colorado, ENERGY STAR Denver, Energy Star for New Homes, Governor's Energy Office
