NEW YORK — York International Corp. announced that three of its steam-turbine-driven centrifugal chillers are contributing energy savings at Foley Square federal office building in New York City — the first federal building ever to receive the EPA’s Energy Star buildings certification.

The Millennium chillers, each rated at 1,300 tons of refrigeration, are part of Foley Square’s efforts to use energy-efficient building products. The chillers, combined with other energy-saving improvements (such as compact, fluorescent light bulbs and highly efficient boilers), will save taxpayers $1.3 million a year in energy costs, the government estimates.

Opened in 1994, Foley Square encompasses 1.2 million sq ft and houses offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, and Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Star label signifies that Foley Square is in the top 25% of similar buildings with regard to energy efficiency.

The Foley Square announcement comes on the heels of President Clinton’s recent declaration that the Department of Defense intends to award the government’s largest energy-saving performance contract ever to Viron Energy Services, a York subsidiary, and Pepco Energy Services.

The $200 million contract is designed to implement energy-saving measures at five Army posts throughout the Military District of Washington (MDW).

“The Foley Square announcement, coupled with the MDW award, are concrete examples of the government’s commitment to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says Mark V. Stanga, York’s vice president of government affairs. “And York International is playing a vital role in the government’s efforts.”

Earlier this year, the manufacturer enrolled in two EPA programs that encourage voluntary energy-efficiency improvements in industrial and business operations and facilities.

York Applied Systems, which manufactures air conditioning and process cooling chillers, is an EPA Energy Star Building Ally. York Unitary Products Group, a supplier of residential and light commercial hvac systems, is enrolled in the EPA Climate Wise program.