Mar 24 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded USAA Real Estate Company a 2008 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency. USAA Real Estate Company's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2008. USAA Real Estate Company is the only real estate company in America that has won this award for the past six years.
USAA Real Estate Company, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2000, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency driven by a service oriented, operational excellence culture based on "continuous process improvement" whereby ongoing operating practices are repeatedly reviewed and refined. Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are continuing to 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 that of 27 million vehicles.
"USAA Real Estate Company is committed to helping protect the environment through our year over year energy savings. 2007 was our highest per year energy consumption savings since becoming an Energy Star Partner. We also drive tremendous financial value for our organization, our partners and our tenants by saving in excess of ten million dollars in the past six years through our energy efficiency focus and partnership with Energy Star," said T. Patrick Duncan, President and CEO of USAA Real Estate Company. "Our long standing partnership with ENERGY STAR shows our organization's commitment to energy efficiency. We understand that partnering with ENERGY STAR is an important step in protecting the planet and reducing our consumption of energy."
The 2008 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 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
"We are proud to recognize USAA Real Estate Company'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 after year partners like USAA Real Estate Company are examples of the benefits of a long-term commitment to energy efficiency. Their actions are leading the way in saving energy and helping to protect the environment."