Professional Retail Store - January/February 2009 - (Page 13) management Take the ENERGY STAR Challenge! PRSM Partners with EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program and Challenges Members to Reduce Energy Consumption in the Retail Sector BY ANNA STA RK I n a signing ceremony on September 17, 2008, PRSM joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program. At this event, PRSM also endorsed the ENERGY STAR Challenge, calling upon more than 1,500 members to reduce the energy consumption of their retail properties by 10 percent or more. This announcement represents a key initiative of PRSM’s Green Council, which seeks to help the retail facilities maintenance professional become a leader in environmental sustainability. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the energy consumption of commercial and industrial buildings represent the largest environmental issue facing property owners and managers today. Commercial and industrial buildings generate almost half of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, at a cost of over $200 billion per year. However, as much as 30 percent of the energy consumed by these properties is wasted due to inefficiencies in operations and maintenance – leading not only to unnecessary emissions but to wasted money as well. Therefore, from both an environmental and a cost savings perspective, any “green” program must start with a focus on strategic energy management. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program provides building facility managers with the tools and resources they need to begin taking crucial steps toward improved energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR’s proven energy management strategy is based on over a decade of partner best practices and includes the following key concepts: establish an energy performance baseline; set performance goals; create and implement action plans; continuously assess performance; and recognize organizational achievements. ENERGY STAR’s free online tool, Portfolio Manager, serves as the foundation for these activities, allowing users to benchmark their properties and obtain a 1-to-100 energy performance rating. This rating, similar to the “miles-per-gallon” rating for a car, allows facility managers to assess the energy performance of their properties and compare against industry peers. By tracking energy performance across an entire portfolio, users can understand which of their properties may benefit from operational enhancements and energy efficiency upgrades. This analysis allows retail properties to establish energy management goals and to identify opportunities for savings and recognition. To further encourage superior energy management and environmental leadership, ENERGY STAR provides several recognition opportunities. Buildings achieving a rating of 75 or higher – indicating that they are in the top 25 percent of energy performers nationwide – are eligible to earn the prestigious ENERGY STAR label. On average, buildings earning the ENERGY STAR use 40 percent less energy than typical properties, and emit 35 percent fewer carbon emissions. Furthermore, organizations that have demonstrated exceptional contributions to environmental performance through company-wide energy management strategies are honored at an annual ENERGY STAR awards ceremony. Recent ENERGY STAR award winners in the retail industry include Food Lion, Giant Eagle, and JCPenney. To assist partners in the development of a successful energy management program, ENERGY STAR offers live and recorded Web-based training sessions on the use of program resources such as Portfolio Manager. The ENERGY STAR website also provides ideas for energy-saving measures through the Building Upgrade Manual, case studies and profiles of properties that have earned the ENERGY STAR. And through the ENERGY STAR Challenge Toolkit, partners have access to fact sheets, press release templates and co-brandable posters to communicate with employees, stakeholders and the general public. As the excitement surrounding “green” hits the retail sector, facility managers should begin by focusing on energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over the past decade, the ENERGY STAR program has established itself as a leader in the fight against global warming, providing the commercial and industrial property markets with strategic guidance, tools, and recognition opportunities that encourage superior energy performance. Retail facility management professionals looking to improve the operations of their properties are encouraged to follow the example set by PRSM, to explore benefits of partnership with the ENERGY STAR program, and to prioritize strategic energy management during the pursuit of “green.” Anna Stark, ENERGY STAR, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is the national program manager for commercial property markets, ENERGY STAR, United States Environmental Protection Agency. January/February 2009 I 13 Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Professional Retail Store - January/February 2009 Professional Retail Store - January/February 2009 Contents President's Message Executive Director's Column Take the Energy Star Challenge According to Regulations Retailer Q&A New Members Why Should I Talk to Procurement? Make a Splash in 2009! PRSM 2009! 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