Mar 10 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Forest City Stapleton, Inc. as a 2008 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award winner for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by sponsoring significant consumer education efforts promoting energy-efficient homes. Forest City Stapleton was the only master-planned community developer selected for this distinction.
Forest City Stapleton, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, is being honored for its work in promoting homes that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. Stapleton is the largest community in Colorado and one of the largest master-planned communities in the United States to have 100 percent builder participation in the ENERGY STAR program.
"Stapleton was designed to be a sustainable community -- providing a pedestrian-oriented land plan with a focus on connectivity of homes, shops, schools, parks and open spaces -- while also delivering a very broad diversity of homes with green and energy efficient features," said Melissa Knott, director of sustainability for Forest City Stapleton. "Our partnership with ENERGY STAR evolved naturally from these values, and together we've found ways to educate builders and residents on how ENERGY STAR homes can save money and protect the environment. We take pride in our partnership with ENERGY STAR to make energy efficiency a fundamental part of our community."
Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved $16 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles. The Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award recognizes organizations' efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
"Partners like Forest City Stapleton are leading the way by showing Americans how they can protect our environment through energy efficiency," said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air & Radiation. "By promoting ENERGY STAR, they are making it easy for consumers to find energy-efficient products in the marketplace."
Forest City Stapleton's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2008.