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Texas Firms Recognized for Environmental Leadership

Release Date: 4/20/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 recognizes four Texas companies for the pollution reductions they have made by participating in the Energy Star Buildings Partnership. Affiliated Computer Services in Dallas, Compaq Computers in Houston, Dell Computers in Round Rock and Texas Health Science Center in Houston are the latest companies to meet the requirements for the highest level of this nationwide voluntary program to save energy, improve air quality and reduce global warming.

      "This commitment to reduce our nation's contributions to global warming is an example of why these companies are respected leaders in the business community. They are leaders in showing how industries can effectively partner with federal, state and local governments to create healthier, more livable neighborhoods for families throughout our country and the world," Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

      Energy Star Partners reduce their energy consumption by replacing existing lighting fixtures and heating and cooling systems with energy-efficient upgrades. These reductions translate into cleaner air for Texas families. Most electricity in Texas is created by burning fossil fuels, which produces emissions that cause smog near the ground and destroy the earth's protective ozone layer miles above the ground. Decreasing energy demands means less fuel must be burned to create electricity

      Energy savings at individual facilities add up. As of April 1, 1999, in the five states of Region 6, 203 Energy Star Buildings have cut energy use by 2 billion kilowatt hours. This has prevented the emissions of 3.6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide and 11 million pounds of nitrous oxides. Their carbon dioxide reduction alone is equal to planting 470,000 acres of trees or taking 344,400 cars off the road.

      Nationally, as of November 1998, more than 2,800 Energy Star Buildings reduced their electricity use by 22.4 billion kilowatt hours and prevented the emission of 35.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide.

      If the Energy Star Buildings program was adopted in every commercial and industrial building in the country, the buildings could reduce up to 35 percent of their carbon dioxide emissions. That is equivalent to the air pollution produced by 20 million cars over a decade.

      More information about the Energy Star Building Partnership and energy reductions made by individual partner companies is available on the Internet at www.epa.gov/buildings.