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EPA recognizes SEPTA for its Energy Efficient Headquarters

Release Date: 12/09/2010
Contact Information: [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 9, 2010) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) with an ENERGY STAR label today for its energy-efficient headquarters at 1234 Market Street in Philadelphia. Only the top 25-percent of all energy-efficient buildings nationwide receive this distinctive label.

“ENERGY STAR partners, like SEPTA, are moving Philadelphia forward through innovation and effective energy management,” said EPA mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “SEPTA’s efforts will save money on energy costs and have a positive effect for all of us since energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the impact of climate change.”

SEPTA is a regional municipal authority that operates various forms of public transit -- bus, subway, rail and electric trolley bus -- that serves 3.8 million people in and around Philadelphia.

SEPTA earned the recognition for numerous energy efficient retrofits it made to its headquarters building that it purchased in 1993. Improvements included installing energy-efficient chillers, new electronic controls and lighting, water-saving toilets and a new reflective cool roof. Another energy saving action by SEPTA involved switching from nighttime to daytime cleaning, allowing managers to shut down the building by 6 p.m. This decreased the running time of all non-essential building functions by 24-percent and reduced the electric bill.

SEPTA’s headquarters is one of 12 buildings in Philadelphia to receive this prestigious recognition during 2010. In 2009, Philadelphia is one of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest number of buildings having earned the ENERGY STAR label.

For more information on ENERGY STAR efficient buildings, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.bus_bldgs