WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) honored 14 organizations, naming them as 2014 Green Lease Leaders for their commitment to reducing energy waste and increasing efficiency in commercial buildings. DOE said these companies have demonstrated their commitment to energy efficiency, incorporating lease clauses that reinforce efficiency, facilitating access to the energy bill data necessary for building benchmarking, and encouraging cooperation on green initiatives.

Green leases (also known as aligned leases, high performance leases, or energy-efficient leases) align the financial and energy incentives of building owners and tenants, allowing them to work together to save money, conserve resources, and ensure the efficient operation of buildings. These green leases have been applied across nearly every major property type, including offices, retail spaces, and manufacturing sites.