Join the Battle of the Buildings

I worked for ENERGYSTAR for Congregations as an intern more than 10 years ago. Check out this great new opportunity for congregations looking to save money, save energy and be recognized for your efforts!

Does your congregation have an efficient building? Or do you have a long way to go? You can find out how you measure up, reduce your energy use, and save a lot of money in the process! – in the ENERGY STAR® National Building Competition this year.

Until May 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting nominations for commercial buildings to compete in its 2012 ENERGY STAR® National Building Competition: The Battle of the Buildings. The contest offers commercial building owners and managers an opportunity to achieve energy, water, and cost savings and receive national recognition for their efforts. The Competition begins in July 2012 and winners will be announced in April 2013.

Last year, 245 buildings from across the nation participated in the Battle of the Buildings to see who could reduce energy waste the most.

• In total, the competitors saved more than 240 million kBtus and $5.2 million on utility bills, preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of 3,600 homes a year.
• Almost a third of the buildings that participated in the 2011 competition reduced their annual energy use by 10 percent or more.
• And 37 percent of eligible competitors earned the ENERGY STAR by competition end.

This year, EPA is expanding recognition opportunities and offering new ways for organizations to get involved. In addition to recognizing the overall winner and top finishers by building category, EPA will recognize any building that improves efficiency by 20 percent or more and has added a water efficiency category.

Competitors will have the opportunity to participate in monthly networking sessions, use free competition creative materials and logos, and be included on the competition website. EPA will also promote the competition through traditional and social media.

To be eligible to compete, a building must be benchmarked in EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager with complete data entered for calendar year 2011. There is no limit on the number of buildings you can register. Applications are due on May 23, 2012.

Read the rules of the game, download step-by-step instructions for registering, and find FAQs at www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings .

Good luck!

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