ENERGY STAR for State Government

ENERGY STAR Tools and Best Practices Supporting the Recovery Act

• Use Sample Text to incorporate ENERGY STAR into Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant activity worksheets.
• Learn how Pennsylvania (1102KB) is leveraging Portfolio Manager to track results for its Conservation Works! program, which will be used to measure benefits and justify Recovery Act funding.

View pre-recorded training:

• Make the Most of Your Energy Efficiency Stimulus Funding — Plan, Monitor, and Report Results with ENERGY STAR Tools (1hr)
• Maximize Stimulus Funding with Performance Contracting and ENERGY STAR (1.20 hr)
• ENERGY STAR and Revolving Loan Funds (1 hr)
• ENERGY STAR and State Energy Programs for Commercial Buildings (1.20 hr)

Learn more about leveraging EPA's Portfolio Manager (900KB) and the benchmarking starter kit to quickly and easily prioritize energy efficiency projects in buildings, measure progress, and verify/report results.

Incorporate ENERGY STAR qualified products into ARRA funded projects for single and multi family homes, public buildings, and K-12 schools.

What State Governments Can Do

• Learn about governments leveraging ENERGY STAR in legislation and voluntary campaigns (192KB)
• Join the ENERGY STAR Challenge
  • Become an ENERGY STAR Partner and demonstrate your commitment to improving your own facilities' energy performance.
  • Promote energy efficiency throughout your state with the ENERGY STAR Challenge Toolkit.
• Establish a comprehensive energy management program using ENERGY STAR’s Guidelines for Energy Management.
• Measure and track energy and water use in ALL existing buildings with Portfolio Manager.
• Use Target Finder to set energy use targets and rate energy design intent for new buildings.
• Improve energy performance of wastewater plants and drinking water systems.
• Learn about financing your energy projects.
• Calculate the pay-back period of energy efficiency investments with the Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator (download to your computer for best performance).
• Take advantage of resources like our Service and Product Provider Directory.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products to save energy throughout the state.
• Learn more about ENERGY STAR for Affordable Housing.
• Register for and learn more through online training sessions.
• Learn about Clean Energy Financing Programs for state governments
• Learn about the benefits of Submetering Building Energy and Water Usage (3.18MB) from the White House's National Science and Technology Council.
• Join the EPA's State Climate and Energy Program.

What Other State Governments Are Doing

• See ENERGY STAR State Government Partners and read Profiles of Labeled Government Buildings.

ENERGY STAR Success Stories

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has adopted EPA's Portfolio Manager to measure and track the energy use and performance improvements of all its state-funded buildings. An executive order issued by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland calls for a 15 percent energy reduction goal by 2011. The executive order directs the DAS to track energy consumption in state buildings and calculate each organization's carbon footprint.

"We chose Portfolio Manager because of its simplicity, flexibility and support," said Jeff Westhoven, deputy director of the DAS. "The State of Ohio has many different agencies and building types, and this software accommodates our diversity and complexity." More than 30 state agencies have uploaded information for more than 5,000 facilities into the tool. By benchmarking its entire portfolio of buildings, Ohio improves its approach to controlling energy costs and identifying top-performing buildings that exemplify best practices.

Read the EPA Press Release regarding this announcement.

Earn Recognition for Your Achievements

• Apply for ENERGY STAR Awards
• Earn the ENERGY STAR for Buildings