All News Releases By Date

EPA Recognizes Delaware’s First Commercial Building to Earn Energy Star Label - Community Service Building Corporation Joins 1,200 Buildings Nationwide in Superior Energy Performance

Release Date: 9/26/2003
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today is recognizing Community Service Building Corporation of Wilmington, Del. for reducing harmful air pollutants from being released into the atmosphere through its participation in the Energy Star Buildings program.

“By partnering with EPA, building owners like Community Service Building Corp. are realizing that they can reduce energy costs by 30 percent without sacrificing comfort or tenant satisfaction,” said EPA Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh.

The Community Service Building, located at 100 W. 10th St. in Wilmington, is home to 75 non-profit organizations. Since joining the Energy Star program in 1997, the corporation has passed the savings from its energy efficient strategies onto its non-profit tenants by keeping rent costs stable.

The Energy Star program is one of the voluntary partnerships developed in 1996 between EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce pollution by promoting energy-efficient building upgrades. The program stresses partnership with schools, corporations, utilities, non-profit organizations, and state and local governments. Participants convert to energy-efficient technology to reduce energy usage. The results are financial savings for the partners and less pollution for the planet.

Since the Community Service Building Corp. joined the Energy Star program, it has helped prevent air pollution by reducing carbon dioxide by 100 tons, sulfur dioxide by nine tons and nitrogen oxides by four tons.

When fossil fuels like coal, oil or natural gas are burned to generate electricity, emissions such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are released into the environment. These emissions contribute to smog and acid rain. Energy-efficient technologies reduce the amount of energy needed to power a building, resulting in cleaner air.

In order to earn the Energy Star Building label, office buildings must meet specific energy performance and indoor air quality requirements and have this information certified by a professional engineer. Office buildings that earn the Energy Star Building Label typically use about 30 percent less energy than average buildings, with no compromise in comfort.

For more information on Energy Star Buildings Partnership and how to prevent pollution through energy efficient, visit EPA’s website at www.energystar.gov. Or call Region III’s Energy Star Program Manager Mindee Osno at 215-814-2074.