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MEDIA ADVISORY: EPA Launches ENERGY STAR Community Service Tour

Release Date: 10/03/2014
Contact Information: Robert Daguillard, [email protected]; 202-564-6618

ENERGY STAR partners host nationwide tour to help communities save energy and money and protect the climate

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is kicking off its first national ENERGY STAR Change the World through Community Service Tour, bringing together public and private organizations in communities across the country to make a positive difference in people’s lives through energy efficiency-related community service projects.

“Through this tour, our ENERGY STAR program and partners are making a difference in local communities through energy efficiency service projects that will save money and energy, while cutting harmful pollution and combating climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “EPA is working with private sector organizations and companies to improve the quality of life for families across the country through energy efficiency projects.”

The tour stops in Worcester, Mass.; Baltimore, Md.; San Francisco, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Orange, Calif.; and Phoenix, Ariz., and culminates on ENERGY STAR Day, Oct. 28, in Phoenix. EPA is leveraging the tour to inspire others to consider what they can do to make a difference through energy efficiency, to share their “stories of positive energy,” and take the ENERGY STAR Pledge at energystar.gov/pledge in celebration of ENERGY STAR Day. Consumers across the country are encouraged to join the millions who have already pledged to take action to save energy and money in their homes and protect the planet.

ENERGY STAR “Change the World through Community Service Tour” Events:

October 3 – National Grid -- Worcester City Hall, Mullaney Plaza, 455 Main St., 11:20 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sustainability Hub, 912 Main St., Worcester, Mass., 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.: ENERGY STAR partner National Grid joins Worcester: The City That Reads, and Worcester Historical Museum in celebration of “Acts of Kindness: Making lives better through saving energy, protecting the environment and improving community literacy.” This event highlights community service activities undertaken by National Grid throughout September and October to support energy efficiency and improved quality of life in Worcester, Mass. In the afternoon, families can help celebrate the first anniversary of National Grid’s Sustainability Hub by participating in energy efficiency educational activities, featuring products provided by ENERGY STAR partners National Grid, Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics. The Sustainability Hub was built to offer a resource to the Worcester community to learn about how energy efficiency can benefit customers environmentally, economically, and socially.

October 9 – Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) -- Boys & Girls Club, 2002 Cedar Dr., Edgewood, Md., 4:30 - 7 p.m.: Employees at ENERGY STAR partner BGE will roll up their sleeves to make energy-efficient improvements at the ENERGY STAR partner Boys & Girls Club in Harford County, Md. In addition to new lighting and other energy-efficient upgrades, volunteers will be painting, landscaping, constructing new storage, and installing new furniture. The upgrades will be provided by ENERGY STAR partners The Home Depot and Samsung Electronics, and residents will learn about saving energy at the family night event.

October 17 – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) – Habitat Terrace, 1 Capitol Ave., San Francisco, Calif., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: ENERGY STAR partner PG&E is working with Habitat for Humanity to build energy-efficient homes for Habitat Terrace, Habitat Greater San Francisco’s newest development. PG&E employees, along with countless other volunteers, are building 28 single-family homes on about one acre at One Capitol Ave. in San Francisco’s Oceanview neighborhood. About 90 percent of the construction is done by volunteers, who will help with framing, plumbing, painting, dry walling, siding, and much more. No experience is necessary. PG&E volunteers are rolling up their sleeves and providing onsite support under the guidance of experienced construction managers and Americorps staff to provide safe, affordable, energy-efficient homes to 28 hard-working families in the community.

October 18 – Xcel Energy -- Westridge Homes (Denver Housing Authority), Mulory Opportunity Center, 3550 W. 13th Ave., Denver, Colo., 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: ENERGY STAR partner Xcel Energy Colorado is working with Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC), the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) and Group 14 Engineering to host an event promoting energy efficiency among DHA residents. In the past two years, Xcel Energy and EOC supported upgrades to appliances and other equipment in DHA homes, increasing resident comfort levels and saving energy, water and money. DHA residents are invited to participate in an energy fair where upgrades will be highlighted, including ENERGY STAR clothes washers and HDTVs from LG Electronics. Families can engage in educational activities about the importance of energy-saving actions.

October 19 – Southern California Edison (SCE), Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, 2 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, Calif., 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.: ENERGY STAR partner SCE is showcasing an energy audit and energy-efficiency improvements at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. SCE is also hosting a Calif. native tree planting on the Education Center’s property, a property that serves 7,000 youth during the school year. The event is a collaboration between Green Camps, a sustainable camp program, and EcoIQ, a volunteer employee group within SCE.

October 28 – Arizona Public Service (APS) – Veterans Housing Facility, 3400 NW Grand Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz., 1– 2:30 p.m.: ENERGY STAR partner APS is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate an extensive energy-efficiency upgrade at U.S. Vets, a 135-unit non-profit housing facility for homeless veterans in Phoenix. The renovation included ENERGY STAR­-certified lighting, appliances, insulation, weatherization and windows, plus upgraded HVAC equipment provided by ENERGY STAR partners including Fujitsu, Sears, LG Electronics, Electrolux, Whirlpool and Cree. The event features a tour of the upgrades as well as a reception for Veteran residents.

More information on the tour and events: energystar.gov/changetheworldtour
Take the pledge at: energystar.gov/pledge

ENERGY STAR is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people in America have looked to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, ENERGY STAR is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing carbon pollution by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

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