The Environmental Protection Agency is looking for Snohomish County businesses to partner with in its Energy Star business improvement program.
Many people are familiar with the EPA’s Energy Star label, which identifies energy-efficient appliances, but its business improvement program aims to certify entire businesses and their buildings as energy-efficient, said Terra Paley, Energy Star’s partnering and marketing coordinator for Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
Businesses can expect to save between 20 percent and 30 percent on their utility costs by complying with Energy Star standards, said Robert Drake, co-manager of the EPA’s pollution prevention program for the Northwest.
“There’s lots of savings for them as well as recognition of their efforts,” Drake said. “If it’s in the top 25 percent of buildings for energy efficiency, it’s eligible to get a label.”
Business owners who would like to improve their energy conservation can follow the program’s step-by-step recommendations for improving performance, including switching to compact fluorescent bulbs and using occupancy sensors to turn off lights automatically when a person leaves a room.
So far, 315 businesses and government agencies have teamed up with Energy Star in Washington state. Many of those are school districts and public utilities, such as the Snohomish County PUD.
The EPA hopes to attract more businesses, including restaurants and manufacturing plants to the program in the future, Paley said.
“We’re singing to the choir right now,” she said. “Those who work in the utility or homebuilding businesses can easily see the benefits of saving energy. I’d like to branch out and sing to some of the people in the stands.”
Paley is focusing on potential business partners north of King County because of the area’s rapid rate of growth, she said.
“Everybody else and everything else seems to be focusing on King County,” she said. “But Snohomish County is growing so fast.”
Reporter Melissa Santos: msantos@heraldnet.com.
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