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EPA recognizes eight Texas companies as Energy Star Partners

Release Date: 04/02/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Businesses increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

(Dallas, Texas - April 2, 2008) Texas companies Austin Energy of Austin, CenterPoint Energy of Houston, Oncor Electric Delivery of Dallas, Transwestern of Houston, USAA Real Estate Co. of San Antonio, JC Penney Co. Inc. of Plano, and Southwest Energy Conservation and Winton/Flair Custom Homes, both of El Paso, are showcased in a report released by EPA for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. The report, "Profiles in Leadership: 2008 Energy Star Award Winners," highlights 74 award-winning organizations across many sectors of the U.S. economy, including schools, hospitals, real estate, manufacturing, chemicals and home building.

"We are proud of these Texas companies that do so much to benefit our environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “We applaud their willingness to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve their energy efficiency.”

The award winners were selected from over 12,000 organizations that partner in the Energy Star program. Through their pioneering efforts, the winners have made substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by means of energy efficiency and awareness. They include large and small organizations and those with long track records of success as well as those that are quickly excelling in their partnership.

In 2007, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $16 billion on their energy bills and eliminated the equivalent of 27 million vehicles in greenhouse gas emissions. To date, more than 2.5 billion Energy Star qualified products have been sold, and nearly 840,000 new homes and 4,000 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings have earned the Energy Star. Energy Star qualified products, homes, and buildings provide the quality, features, and personal comfort today's consumers expect.

Energy Star was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are Energy Star partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses.

For more information about Energy Star, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/awards or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit https://www.epa.gov/region6.