EPA recognizes Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems as 2012 ENERGY STAR ® Partners of the Year in energy efficiency program delivery
Burlington, VT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems with a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for their outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by delivering information and services to their customers to increase energy efficiency. Award winners were selected from about 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. This is the second consecutive year in which the EPA has honored the Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes program.
Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems, ENERGY STAR partners since 1997 and 2001 respectively, are being honored for their work to increase the market share of energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified homes through comprehensive outreach, education and marketing programs. Efficiency Vermont provides comprehensive energy efficiency services to residential buildings in Vermont. In areas served by natural gas, Vermont Gas Systems provides additional support for homes working to achieve ENERGY STAR Homes recognition. Together, the organizations provide technical assistance and financial incentives to help Vermont households reduce energy costs through energy efficient lighting, pre-construction consultation, and renovation incentives. Their coordinated efforts to build the market for ENERGY STAR Homes have resulted in a dramatic increase in program participation, with over 500 Vermont homes currently enrolled.
Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from ENERGY STAR.
“This award recognizes the great strides that Vermont has made to improve the efficiency of newly-constructed homes,” said Chris Gordon, residential new construction manager for Efficiency Vermont. “The entire Vermont building community has put in a great deal of effort to make this success possible. We look forward to continuing our work with them to help even more Vermonters benefit from energy efficient homes.”
“Vermont Gas is honored to have been recognized with Efficiency Vermont by the EPA for this prestigious and timely award,” said Don Gilbert, President and CEO of Vermont Gas. “Energy efficiency programs continue to be our most effective strategy for reducing energy costs and lowering emissions. We look forward to helping Vermont in the coming years to achieve an even cleaner environment through the expansion of our natural gas service and efficiency programs to more Vermonters, especially as we work to extend these services into Addison County,” Gilbert said.
The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards for Energy Efficiency Program Delivery are given to a variety of organizations in recognition of their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Their accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20th anniversary of ENERGY STAR.
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA is proud to recognize Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for Energy Efficiency Program Delivery,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “These organizations and all our ENERGY STAR award winners are helping Americans find cost-effective ways to save energy in everything we do, which is good for our climate, our health, and our future.”
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 13.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the last eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
About Vermont Gas Systems
Vermont Gas Systems is Vermont’s sole provider of natural gas service for more than 45,000 residential and commercial customers in Chittenden and Franklin counties. Vermont Gas has provided comprehensive energy efficiency services for its customers since 1992. www.vermontgas.com
About ENERGY STAR
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. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. About 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).
Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]
Vermont Gas Systems
Stephen Wark
(802) 338-1792
[email protected]
Efficiency Vermont
Kelly Lucci
(802) 540-7630
[email protected]