WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Energy Star program has launched the 2011 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. Teams from 245 buildings around the country are going head-to-head to improve energy efficiency and determine who can reduce their energy use the most. Through their efficiency improvements, competitors are working to cut energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“I am excited to see so many companies joining our Battle of the Buildings competition and finding new ways to improve their energy efficiency,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re harnessing our nation’s innovative capacity to save money on electric bills, create a cleaner environment, and protect the health of American families.”

The competition includes 26 different types of commercial buildings, such as retail stores, schools, hotels, and museums, some of which are more than 100 years old. Competitors will be able to exchange ideas and strategies through various social media applications, including a live Twitter feed and a Facebook forum. Information about all competitors, including photos and facts about each, will be featured on the competition website.

Competitors will measure and track their building’s monthly energy consumption using EPA’s Energy Star online energy tracking tool, Portfolio Manager. Of the initial 245 competitors, a small group of buildings will be selected as finalists in July. The finalists will be required to submit Statements of Energy Performance (SEPs) on their utility data for the entire competition period, which must be signed and stamped by a professional engineer or licensed architect. Among the finalists, the building with the largest percentage reduction in energy use will be recognized as the winner in November.

For more information on the competition, visit www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings.

Publication date: 05/09/2011