10 Small Business and Congregations Awarded for Excellence in Energy Efficiency

News for Release: Monday, September 18, 2006

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

10 Small Business and Congregations Awarded for Excellence in Energy Efficiency

Contact: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 18, 2006) EPA is recognizing eight small businesses and two congregations for their energy-efficiency operations that prevented over 1 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and saved $66,000 in annual utility costs. The agency gives Energy Star awards to small businesses and congregations, institutions and associations that promote energy efficiency in their facilities.

"Whether you are running a place of business, or a place of worship, getting the most out of your energy dollars just makes sense," said U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Through ENERGY STAR, President Bush and EPA are brightening our nation's future, and I applaud today's winners for spreading the word that smart energy decisions are good for our environment and our wallets."

Small businesses and congregations that invest strategically can cut utility costs 25-30 percent without sacrificing service, style or comfort, while making significant contributions to a cleaner environment. The efficiency improvements made by the 10 winners are wide ranging, and include lighting upgrades, improved insulation, installation of door and window seals, purchase of Energy Star qualified appliances and equipment, and use of daylighting. The savings from some upgrades paid for themselves in as little as three months.

In addition to the small business and congregation winners, Michigan Interfaith Power and Light (MiIPL) received a special award for its efforts to promote energy efficiency among its members. MiIPL is one of 18 state affiliates of the national IPL organizations and includes nearly 100 Michigan congregations. Among its programs MiIPL provides free energy audits and operates an online store to facilitate bulk purchasing of Energy Star qualified equipment at discounts of up to 30 percent off average retail costs. Participants in MiIPL's programs have saved approximately $775,000 annually in energy costs.

The 2006 Energy Star small business winners are:

Basil Bandwagon Natural Market and Basil Brook Organic Farm of Flemington, N.J.
Gehman & Company of Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Myobz LLC of Carlsbad, CA (operator of three Shell gasoline stations and convenience markets in Yuma, Ariz.)
RBR - Recumbent BikeRiders, Inc. of State College, Pa.
Susquehanna Fire Equipment Co. of Dewart, Pa.
The Music Mart, Inc. of State College, Pa.
T.J.'s Market of Hughesville, Pa.
Tripps Grill and Six Pack of North Bend, Pa.

The congregation winners are:

Keystone Community Church of Ada, Mich.
San Francisco Zen Center of San Francisco, Calif.

Energy Star is a voluntary, market-based partnership designed to offer business and consumers effective energy efficiency solutions for saving energy, money and the environment. Programs like Energy Star are vital to meeting the Bush Administration's goal to cut the greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012. In 2005, Americans with the help of Energy Star saved $12 billion on their energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those produced in powering 23 million cars.

More information about the 2006 Small Business and Congregations Award Winners: https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=sb_success.sb_2006winners

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