News & events : project merit award

Press Release:

For Immediate Release
   Media Contacts:
   Robyn Nowak
   Hoffman York
   414-225-9554
   rnowak@hyc.com

EPA Recognizes Focus on Energy with 2010 ENERGY STAR^® Sustained Excellence Award

Focus on Energy earns the award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency

MADISON, Wis. (March 31, 2010) - Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, is again being recognized for efforts in support of Wisconsin residents and businesses. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Focus on Energy a 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in honor of its continued leadership in protecting the state's environment through promoting the benefits of energy efficiency. This is the ninth consecutive year Focus has received an ENERGY STAR award.

"We are honored our hard work on behalf of Wisconsin residents and businesses is again being recognized," said Kathy Kuntz, energy programs director for Focus on Energy. "However, this is still a work in progress. We will continue to promote the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy and are committed to developing programs that both educate and provide savings to those in Wisconsin."

The Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Since 2001, Focus on Energy has helped residents and businesses save more than $268 million dollars in annual energy costs. These savings translate into real economic and environmental benefits.

The total energy savings are equivalent to:

The amount of electricity consumed annually by approximately 197,000 average Wisconsin homes.
The amount of natural gas consumed annually by about 100,000 average Wisconsin homes.
Almost 4.4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide.
The amount of electricity produced by burning 9,794 rail car loads of coal.
The same energy value as 5.5 million barrels of oil.

"EPA is recognizing Focus on Energy with our highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2010 Sustained Excellence Award," said Gina McCarthy, EPA assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "Focus on Energy's continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment."

About the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation is a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wis. Established in 1980, WECC is a national leader in designing and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that partner with private businesses to deliver value to consumers. It champions innovative energy initiatives that deliver short- and long-term economic and environmental benefits to consumers, businesses and policy makers. For more information about WECC, call 800.969.9322 or visit weccusa.org.

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. Today, 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 energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

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