WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are honoring 127 organizations via the 2014 Energy Star program, and the CE and major appliance industries are well represented.
The dinner, to be held April 29 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, honors those organizations “for their commitment to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency,” the EPA said.
“EPA applauds this year’s Energy Star Partner of the Year Award winners, who have demonstrated innovative strategies to help their customers, partners and stakeholders save energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Their commitment to saving energy helps fight climate change while also helping their bottom line.”
“Each year, Energy Star partners create jobs, protect the environment and raise the bar for the home-improvement industry through their dedication to energy efficiency,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson. “This national program helps homeowners by providing access to innovative home-improvement solutions and enabling American families to save money by saving energy.”
The winners were selected from 16,000 Energy Star partners, including manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies and home builders, for their dedication to protecting the environment through greater energy efficiency.
Here are the categories and the consumer electronics and major appliance related companies being honored in each one:
Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence: The Sustained Excellence winners continue to exhibit exceptional leadership year after year in the Energy Star program while remaining dedicated to environmental protection through superior energy efficiency, the EPA said.
Some of the companies honored are Bosch Home Appliances, LG Electronics, Panasonic Eco Solutions North America, Samsung Electronics, SearsHoldings, Staples and The Home Depot.
Partner of the Year: The award is for those organizations which strategically and comprehensively managing their energy use. These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, in addition to providing efficient products and services to consumers and within their community, the EPA said.
The CE and major appliance companies in this category are Best Buy, DirecTV, LG Electronics, Nationwide Marketing Group, Samsung Electronics and Verizon Wireless.
Partner of the Year — Climate Communications: The winners here have raised their customers’ awareness of the impacts of climate change. These partners have created communications that encourage their customers to combat climate change with the help of Energy Star and emphasize how energyefficient behaviors have a positive effect on the environment, according to the EPA.
Both LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics will receive this award.
Excellence: The Energy Star awards here are given in part for their superior efforts in the Home Performance with Energy Star program and specific activities to promote energy-efficient products, homes, or buildings.
Among the nine winning organizations in this category is Ricoh Americas for its Energy Star certification for 98 percent of its current product line, of which 100 percent of its multifunction printers, large-format copiers and laser printers are Energy Star certified.
