Create an energy policy

A strong energy policy formalizes senior management’s support for energy efficiency. It also articulates your organization’s commitment to saving energy to employees, the community, and stakeholders.

Based on the experience of ENERGY STAR partners, an effective energy policy:

• States an objective. Your energy policy should have a clear, measurable objective that reflects your organization’s commitment, culture, and priorities.
• Establishes accountability. It should institute a chain-of-command, define roles, and provide the authority for staff to implement the energy management plan.
• Ensures continuous improvement. By including provisions for evaluating and updating the policy, you ensure your policy will reflect changing needs and priorities.
• Promotes goals. Lastly, it should provide a context for setting performance goals by linking energy goals to the overall financial and environmental goals of your organization.

Example policies from successful ENERGY STAR partners

No matter the industry, successful partners have demonstrated that an energy policy is the first step to long-term savings. Get ideas and inspiration from these examples of successful efficiency energy policies and statements.

Commercial real estate

• Beacon Capital Partners, LLC’s Energy Policy
• Bentall Kennedy’s Corporate Sustainability Policy
• TRANSWESTERN’s Standard Practices for Energy
• USAA Real Estate Company’s Energy Policy

Healthcare

• New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Corporate Energy Policy & Guidelines

K-12 schools

• Evergreen Public Schools' Policy and Procedures for Efficient and Responsible Use of Resources
• Kenton County School District’s Energy Management Policy

Retail

• Sears Holdings Corporation’s Environmental Policy Statement