WASHINGTON — In May 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. In its second year, the competition featured teams from 245 buildings across the United States in a head-to-head battle to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
As the battle drew to a close, the competitors have saved a combined total of more than 240 million kBtu of energy and $5.2 million in annual utility bills. They prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used by more than 3,600 homes a year. The top 10 finishers achieved energy reductions of at least 30 percent, and the winner saved 63 percent in 12 months.