EPA Recognizes Northeast Energy Efficiency Initiative with 2013 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and its utility partners, The United Illuminating Company (UI) and Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P), with a 2013 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency, as part of the Northeast Retail Products Initiative.  The Initiative, facilitated by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) and made up of utilities and energy efficiency program administrators in New England, New York, and Washington D.C., will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2013.

As an ENERGY STAR Partner since 2000, the Northeast Retail Products Initiative will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency.  During the last 13 years, the Initiative has won 14 awards including six Excellence Awards, one award for Excellence in Product Labeling, and seven Sustained Excellence Awards.  For over a decade, the Initiative has also been collaborating to build greater market awareness and availability of energy-efficient lighting, consumer electronics and appliance products throughout the region. 

“The Energy Efficiency Fund is proud to partner with NEEP to implement such high quality programs, and we would like to thank the EPA for recognizing these collaborative efforts,” said Jamie Howland of ENE (Environment Northeast) and First Vice Chairperson, Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board.  “Encouraging our residents to incorporate ENERGY STAR lighting, electronics and technologies into their daily lives makes a significant difference in the reduction of energy use.”

In 2012, the Energy Efficiency Fund, UI and CL&P planned 60 lighting fairs where the vendors offered efficient lighting products for retail sale at community events, fairs, large customer enterprises, and 142 in-store promotional events across Connecticut.  In addition, the “Fall 2012 ENERGY STAR® Lighting Products Advertising Campaign” was launched using radio, print, and online advertising to educate and promote the associated savings of converting from standard bulbs to CFLs and LEDs. Also, through the Shining Solutions fundraising program, UI and CL&P helped 35 schools and civic groups raise money and save their communities’ energy through the sale of CFLs. Lastly, the Connecticut utilities initiated a launch of the TopTen USA Program to encourage consumers to purchase the most energy-efficient products on the market.

Howland also added the choosing ENERGY STAR products are a wise investment in Connecticut’s overall climate, economy and energy future.

“NEEP is committed to speeding the adoption of high efficiency products in the region through our partnership with the Energy Efficiency Fund as part of the Retail Products Initiative,” said Sue Coakley, Executive Director of NEEP. “By leveraging our resources, our initiative, which collectively serves over 15 million households, is able to yield more energy and cost savings for families and businesses than through individual program efforts. We are very proud of the Fund for its tremendous efforts in helping to make the Northeast a sustained leader in energy efficiency. Our success for the region is a direct result of the commitment they dedicate to accelerating energy efficiency for our environment, our economy, and our communities.”

Other NEEP participants joining the Fund in this initiative include: Cape Light Compact, National Grid (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and New York), NSTAR Electric, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, NHSaves (National Grid, Unitil, Public Service of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Electric Co-op), Efficiency Vermont, Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) and The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DC SEU).

The 2013 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency.  Award winners are selected from about 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.