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Consumers and the Environment Score Big with Energy Star Products

Release Date: 11/21/2002
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(11/21/02) Partnerships continue to benefit the environment and consumers according to the latest 2001 Annual Report issued by Environmental Protection Agency today that details the success of the ENERGY STAR and other voluntary climate change programs. The report discusses the environmental and economic accomplishments of these programs and outlines plans for 2002 and beyond.

"President Bush and I have worked together to build strong nationwide partnerships to protect public health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. “Together we have demonstrated that voluntary programs can be an extremely effective tool to ensure a cleaner environment and greater energy security for all Americans.”

Through voluntary efforts, including ENERGY STAR, Americans have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 38 million metric tons of carbon equivalent, which is the same as taking more than 25 million cars off the nation’s roads. Last year alone, Americans saved more than 80 billion kilowatt hours and 10,000 megawatts of peak power, the amount of energy required to power more than 10 million of this nation’s homes.

In addition, citizens helped to prevent emissions of nearly 140,000 tons of nitrogen oxides from being released into the environment. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR has been a leader in this area. EPA’s voluntary climate change programs also include initiatives that develop clean energy solutions, increase capture and use of methane gas, minimize emissions of other non-carbon dioxide gases and provide opportunities for corporate commitments to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies.

Other highlights from EPA’s climate partnership programs include:

• As part of President Bush’s National Energy Plan, EPA added energy performance rating capabilities for grocery stores and hospitals and launched two new programs in the energy supply area, the Green Power Partnership and the Combined Heat and Power Partnership, to promote cleaner energy supply technologies.
• More than 750 million ENERGY STAR labeled products have been purchased to date.
• More than 1,600 builder partners have constructed over 57,000 ENERGY STAR labeled homes to date and saved homeowners more than $15 million annually.
• EPA’s national energy performance rating system was used to evaluate more than 10,000 buildings.

The Annual Report also lays out program plans for 2002 and beyond. Plans include adding new products and services in the ENERGY STAR family, a greater public awareness of the ENERGY STAR label, and continued education efforts to provide businesses and consumers the information they need to protect the environment by changing to ENERGY STAR. In addition, plans include providing energy performance rating capabilities for more building types and industry, increased use of partnerships, and increased penetration of cleaner, more efficient energy supply technologies. Plans also include doubling the cost-effective reductions of the non-carbon dioxide gases by 2010.

Copies of "Partnerships Changing the World: ENERGY STAR and Other Voluntary Programs," are available by calling the ENERGY STAR Hotline at 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). The 2001 Annual Report is also available in PDF format at www.epa.gov/cppd