Nevada Energy Star Partners receives national award at Washington event

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Nevada Energy Star Partners a 2008 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency.

Nevada Energy Star Partners' accomplishments were recognized at an April 1 awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Nevada Energy Star Partners, a coalition of builders, developers, consultants and utility companies, has been an Energy Star partner since 2000.

The group was honored for its commitment to energy efficiency.

Energy Star, the U.S. government-backed program for energy efficiency, was created by the EPA originally for energy-conserving computers in 1992 and is now jointly implemented with the U.S. Department of Energy on a broader scale.

Across the nation, top companies and organizations promote energy efficiency through participation in Energy Star.

Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $16 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the output of more than 27 million vehicles.

The 2008 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to organizations that exhibit outstanding leadership year after year.

Winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving goals, employing innovative approaches and setting a good example.

The awards recognize leadership throughout the Energy Star program, including energy-efficient products, services and new homes and encompassing the commercial, industrial and public sectors.

Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the Energy Star program. Only 79 organizations received awards this year.

"We are proud to recognize Nevada Energy Star's continued efforts with the 2008 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award," said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air & Radiation. "Year and year, partners like Nevada Energy Star are examples of the benefits of a long-term commitment to energy efficiency. Their actions are leading the way of saving energy and helping to protect the environment."

For more information, visit energystar.gov or call toll-free 888-782-7937.