The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring five organizations in North Carolina with 2014 Energy Star awards. A total of 127 organizations will be honored for their commitment to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency.
"EPA applauds this year's Energy Star Partner of the Year Award winners, who have demonstrated innovative strategies to help their customers, partners and stakeholders save energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions," said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. "Their commitment to saving energy helps fight climate change while also helping their bottom line."
"Each year, Energy Star partners create jobs, protect the environment and raise the bar for the home improvement industry through their dedication to energy efficiency," said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson. "This national program helps homeowners by providing access to innovative home improvement solutions and enabling American families to save money by saving energy."
The winners were selected from 16,000 Energy Star partners, including manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, and home builders, for their dedication to protecting the environment through greater energy efficiency.
Organizations are recognized in the following categories:
Partner of the Year--Sustained Excellence: Sustained Excellence winners continue to exhibit exceptional leadership year after year in the Energy Star program while remaining dedicated to environmental protection through superior energy efficiency.
Food Lion, LLC, Salisbury, NC
Hanesbrands Inc., Winston Salem, NC
Partner of the Year: Organizations are receiving the Partner of the Year award for strategically and comprehensively managing their energy use. These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, in addition to providing efficient products and services to consumers and within their community.
Nationwide Marketing Group, Winston Salem, NC
Pentair Aquatic Systems, Sanford, NC
Excellence Award: Awarded for specific activities to promote energy-efficient products, homes, or buildings.
Cree, Inc., Durham, NC
Products, homes and buildings that earn the Energy Star label prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency requirements set by the U.S. EPA. From the first Energy Star qualified computer in 1992, the Energy Star label can now be found on products in more than 70 different categories, with more than 4.5 billion sold. Over 1.5 million new homes and 23,000 office buildings, schools and hospitals have earned the Energy Star label. Since the Energy Star program began, American families and businesses have saved $297 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions with help from Energy Star.
