Small Businesses and Congregations Honored by EPA for Energy Savings

News for Release: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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

(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 12, 2007) Today EPA announced the winners of the 2007 Energy Star Award for Small Businesses and Congregations. Together, the winners saved more than $1.2 million in annual energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 1,600 vehicles annually. This year's diverse group of eight small businesses and three congregations includes an auto dealership, a winery and a mega-church.

"Whether they are running a place of business or a place of worship, more and more Americans are realizing that getting the most out of their 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 these award winners for demonstrating the environmental and financial rewards of going green."

Small businesses and congregations that strategically manage the energy performance of their facilities can cut utility costs by 25 percent or more by making efficiency improvements and, at the same time, make significant contributions to a healthier environment. The energy saving efforts of the winners included upgrading existing facilities as well as the construction of new energy efficient facilities. Efficiency improvements include lighting upgrades, improved insulation, installation of door and window seals, purchase of Energy Star qualified appliances and equipment and the use of energy management systems.

In addition to the winners of the 2007 Energy Star Award for Small Businesses and Congregations, EPA also announced three special awards for notable achievements in energy efficiency.

The 2007 Energy Star Small Business winners are:

Central PA Settlement LLC of Bedford, Pa.
Duncaster Inc. of Bloomfield, Conn.
G&S Produce Distributing of Sacramento, Calif.
Ocean Breeze Awnings and More of Surfside Beach, S.C.
Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas
Planet Subaru of Hanover, Mass.
Sendell Motors Inc. of Greensburg, Pa.
Sonoma Wine Company of Graton, Calif.

The 2007 Energy Star Congregation winners are:

Jonesville United Methodist Church of Clifton Park, N.Y.
Prestonwood Baptist Church of Plano, Texas
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Mich.

The recipients of the three special awards are:

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
Western Appliance

Launched in 1992, Energy Star is a government program that helps businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. In 2006, Americans with the help of Energy Star saved $14 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to those of 25 million vehicles annually.

More information about the 2007 Small Business Award Winners

Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Energy Star: http://energystar.gov

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov

U.S. Department of Energy: http://www.energy.gov

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