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EPA Recognizes Compaq Computer Corp. for Pollution Prevention

Release Date: 3/20/1998
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Compaq Computer Corporation with the 1998 Green Lights Corporate Partner of the Year award. The company is one of nine organizations chosen by the EPA for its success in air pollution prevention through the voluntary installation of energy-efficient lighting.

"Compaq's energy-efficiency efforts in both operations and product manufacturing serve as a remarkable example of environmental leadership. Compaq has shown that implementing energy-efficient practices is a smart business strategy," said Co-Director of the EPA's ENERGY STAR Buildings and Green Lights Partnership Maria Tikoff Vargas.

Compaq has upgraded the lighting in more than 3 million square feet in 3 years at its Houston campus. Because energy production usually involves burning fossil fuels, this translates into an air pollution reduction of more than 1 million pounds of carbon dioxide and 4,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide. Carbon dioxide is linked to global climate change, while sulfur dioxide is associated with acid rain.

The energy to run commercial and industrial buildings in the United States produces 19 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions and costs $110 billion a year. If implemented in every U.S. commercial and industrial building between now and 2010, Energy Star Buildings' approach could shrink cumulative energy bills by $130 billion and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those produced by more than 20 million cars.

Initiated in 1991, Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights Partnership has more than 2,500 participants nationwide. EPA will present Compaq with the 1998 Green Lights Corporate Partner of the Year award at the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division's Annual Awards Ceremony Tuesday, March 24 in Washington, D.C.