The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named BOMA International as an ENERGY STAR 2007 Partner of the Year for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy management in commercial buildings through the BOMA Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP). BOMA International, the first real estate association to receive a Partner of the Year award, was recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2007.
BOMA International, an ENERGY STAR Partner since 2005, is being honored for helping building owners and managers reduce energy use by promoting energy management practices through BEEP, an innovative operational excellence program that teaches commercial real estate professionals how to reduce energy consumption and costs with proven no- and low-cost strategies for optimizing equipment, people and practices. To date, more than 5,000 commercial real estate professionals have participated in the BEEP seminars.
"As an ENERGY STAR partner we want to spread the word about making buildings more energy efficient," remarked BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer Kurt R. Padavano, RPA, CPM, FMA, SMA, and chief operating officer of Advance Realty Group of Bedminster, N.J. "The BEEP seminars are transforming the industry as building owners and managers now have the tools and techniques to put quantifiable reductions in energy consumption. Tracking and benchmarking a building's energy use and improving energy efficiency have tremendous benefits for building owners, tenants and the environment."
The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year — Energy Efficiency Program Delivery Award is given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved $14 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 25 million vehicles.
"Buildings contribute about 20 percent of our national greenhouse gas emissions, effective energy management helps the bottom line and protects our environment," Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.
