American Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Accepts EPA's Energy Star Challenge to Improve Energy Efficiency

The American Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) announced a trademarked program, Green Building Engineers, designed to help reduce energy use by 10 percent or more. AEE's program, developed in partnership with EPA through its Energy Star Challenge, will help educate energy engineers about ways to improve energy efficiency in buildings. The program also provides certification for engineers with knowledge of energy-efficiency principles and practices that improve building energy management. The program will serve as a valuable resource for building owners looking to improve their building's energy efficiency and apply for EPA's Energy Star, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. AEE represents 8,500 energy engineering management professionals across the United States.

EPA launched the Energy Star Challenge in March 2005 to encourage business and institutions across the country to take the right steps to identify the many buildings where financially attractive improvements can reduce energy use by 10 percent or more. The Energy Star Challenge encourages partners to make improvements now through proven methods such as low-cost buildings tune-ups, lighting upgrades, and replacement of old equipment. EPA estimates that if each building owner accepts this challenge, by 2015 Americans would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by amounts equivalent to the emissions from 15 million vehicles, while saving $10 billion. For more information about the Energy Star Challenge, visit (http://www.energystar.gov/challenge).