April 8,2009 -
For the 10th consecutive year, National Grid has received national recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for leadership in mitigating the effects of climate change by promoting energy efficiency. The company received three awards at the EPA-DOE ENERGY STAR awards ceremony held March 31, 2009 in Washington D.C.
“Energy efficiency programs are short-term investments for long-term savings,” said Tim Stout, National Grid’s vice president of energy efficiency. “Being recognized by the EPA for our efficiency efforts confirms that these programs are making a difference for our customers and for the environment. Particularly with the downturn in the economy, energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to cut costs and also help reduce the effects of climate change. We urge all of our customers to take advantage of these programs.”
National Grid received the following EPA and DOE ENERGY STAR awards:
ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award
National Grid won The Sustained Excellence Award for a wide range of programs, including ENERGY STAR New Home Construction, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR for home retrofits, and the Whole Building Assessment Initiative for commercial building upgrades. Sustained Excellence recognition is awarded each year to a single organization for its long-standing commitment to energy efficiency.
“EPA is pleased to recognize National Grid for leadership in addressing global warming through greater energy efficiency,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the U.S. EPA. “National Grid has excelled at helping its customers improve their efficiency, save money, and better understand the steps they can take to help in the fight against global warming.”
Last year, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR saved approximately $19 billion in energy bills as a result of ENERGY STAR’s nationwide programs. Greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by the equivalent of 29 million vehicles.
“We are proud of our partnership with ENERGY STAR and our 20 – plus years of increasing energy efficiency,” Stout said. “We see great value in educating our customers about how the use of ENERGY STAR products and programs can save money and protect the environment.”
ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award
National Grid received Partner of the Year for its work with the Joint Management Committee representing the New England New Homes with ENERGY STAR program. This award recognizes the Committee’s efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact while generating significant cost savings. Under this program, National Grid offers a variety of incentives and technical support to build new ENERGY STAR homes. The program also provides incentives and technical support to lower utility costs and increased comfort while protecting the environment.
ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence in Program Delivery
The EPA and the DOE awarded the 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award to the Northeast ENERGY STAR Products Initiative for its Lighting and Appliance Program. The Initiative is a regional effort, facilitated by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) which is involved with environmental protection through energy efficiency. National Grid, which won the award as a NEEP member, makes energy-efficient lighting and appliances available to its customers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The Initiative is being honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency. Elements of the program that were highlighted included the execution of a residential customer-focused lighting and appliance efficiency program that includes consumer incentives, an innovative multimedia marketing plan, and field service retailer outreach.
The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards for Program delivery are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
About National Grid
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority. It is also the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
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 www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).