Kentucky named 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year by EPA

Commonwealth, Housing Corporation, Pollution Prevention Center honored

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 8, 2012) – Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson today announced three Kentucky state government programs have been awarded the 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year distinction by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Kentucky state government, the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) and the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC) earned this distinction for outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by delivering information and services to Kentuckians to increase energy efficiency.

The Lieutenant Governor made the announcement during the Midwest Regional ENERGY STAR Conference in Lexington.

Lt. Gov. Abramson and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters will join officials recognizing the Commonwealth Partnership award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20^th anniversary of ENERGY STAR.

“It is exciting that Kentucky is receiving national attention for our efforts to lead the nation in a progressive action on energy reduction and savings,” said Lt. Gov. Abramson. “Gov. Steve Beshear and I are extremely proud of the contributions made by Kentuckians to create efficient, sustainable energy solutions while protecting the environment.”

Gov. Beshear has created a seven-point strategic energy action plan, Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future, which provides an important framework around existing policies to aggressively increase the use of renewable energy sources. In recognizing Kentucky, ENERGY STAR highlights Kentucky for its outstanding contributions to environmental protection through energy efficiency.

·      Kentucky Housing Corporation’s statewide Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program completed more than 500 home upgrades last year with a total homeowner investment of more than $5 million, helping to create new jobs. Energy reduction per home averaged 26 percent. As of March 8, 2012, the agency’s program, KY Home Performance, has now completed more than 600 energy efficient home retrofits with a total development cost of more than $7 million.

·      As a champion of Kentucky energy management programs, the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center enrolled 100 percent of the state’s 174 school districts in the Kentucky Energy Efficiency Program for Schools, with 70 percent of Kentucky’s K-12 school districts becoming ENERGY STAR partners. KPPC provided key assistance in helping school districts reduce operational costs and improve energy performance.

In addition to the Commonwealth partnership award, Kentucky also has three private-sector nationally recognized awardees: GE Appliances and Lighting of Louisville; LG&E/KU; and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. in Erlanger.

“We are pleased to once again be recognized by ENERGY STAR for efforts to increase awareness and provide resources that helped spur more energy-efficient home construction within our service territories. Our program would not have been so successful without the efforts of our community partners, in building homes that meet more stringent energy-saving standards,” said David Huff, director of Customer Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Strategy at LG&E/KU.

More information about the Governor’s energy plan and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s activities to implement the plan can be found at http://energy.ky.gov

Now celebrating its 20^th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and help protect the environment for future generations. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).