DOE Presents Better Buildings Challenge Results
Program saves $1.3 billion in energy costs, prevents 10 million tons of harmful carbon emissions
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro recently released Better Buildings Challenge partner results, announced three new focus areas in local communities, and highlighted overall signs of growth in the initiative’s reach and influence.
Since 2011, both the number of Better Buildings Challenge partners and energy-efficiency commitments have tripled, resulting in energy cost savings that exceed $1.3 billion and the avoidance of 10 million tons of harmful carbon emissions. There are now 310 Better Buildings Challenge partners who are set to achieve goals of at least 20 percent energy reduction within 10 years. Together they represent 34,000 buildings and facilities, 4.2 billion square feet of commercial space, and $5.5 billion dollars in energy-efficiency investments. Latest reporting shows the partners are on track, decreasing energy use on average by more than 2 percent annually.
“Thanks to a dedicated drive to actively create and share the best energy-efficiency solutions, Better Buildings partners have dramatically cut their energy waste and saved more than $1 billion dollars since the initiative was launched five years ago,” said Moniz. “As the initiative continues to grow, we are moving the nation forward by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions through energy efficiency.”
“Housing can play a vital role in addressing the realities of climate change,” said Castro. “The Better Buildings Challenge makes sense for our environment and for the pocketbooks of hardworking American families. I’d like to thank all of our partners for helping to lead our nation’s 21st century clean-energy revolution.”
More than 60 new partners have joined the Better Buildings Challenge this year, including UC Berkeley, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Nike, The Wendy’s Co., CenturyLink Global Data Center Operations, and the New York City Housing Authority. Thirty-five partners have achieved their energy or water savings goals ahead of schedule.
Through Better Buildings, the DOE aims to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade. For more information, visit betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov.
Publication date: 6/6/2016
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