Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Date: January 22, 2013
For Immediate Release

Contact: Suzanne B. Cook, CAE
PH: 850-894-3422
Email: cooksb@nettally.com


FGBC's Green Home Certification Program Receives National Recognition
For Energy and Water Conservation Effectiveness

TALLAHASSEE –  The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) have recognized the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Home Certification Standard as a “Promising Program” honorable mention in the Exemplary Water-Energy Program award competition, which recognizes exemplary efficiency programs that save both water and energy.

The FGBC Green Home Standard is the most successful residential certification program in Florida. The program has certified over 5,400 homes to date. Because the program is affordable and has an easy to implement process for the construction industry, it has broad acceptance and large scale impacts.

The FGBC standard includes eight categories: energy, water, lot choice, site, health, materials, disaster mitigation, and general (i.e. renewables, adaptability, small home etc.). The program has resulted in an average of 15 percent savings in electricity consumption and a 20 percent reduction in water use per household over code compliant buildings. The water category addresses indoor and outdoor conservation through selection of water-efficient products, landscaping, and irrigation.

ACEEE accepted 54 nominations from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Programs were only considered if they fulfilled the following eligibility criteria:
• Program targets end-users of energy or water;
• Program includes documented and verified savings of energy and/or water; and
• Approach is transferrable to other locations.

Each of the winning programs incorporated particularly innovative designs and/or implementation techniques that have achieved positive, near-term results and promise significant future impacts. [Read the full report]

“These programs demonstrate the innovative ways governments, utilities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations are cost-effectively saving water and energy,” said Mary Ann Dickinson, President and CEO of AWE.

The judges decided on five award winners and seven honorable mentions. The five award-winning exemplary programs are:
1. Southern California Edison: Leak Detection Pilot Program
2. Darden Restaurants: Darden Sustainability – 15 X 15
3. City of Boulder, Colorado: Energy Performance Contracting Program
4. Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA): Long Term Sustainability Program
5. United Technologies Corporation (UTC): 2015 Sustainability Goals

The honorable mentions include six “Promising Programs” and one “Sustained Achievement:”
Promising Programs:
1. Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC): Green Home Certification Standard
2. City Of Santa Rosa, California: Ozone Laundry Program
3. The City of Austin: Multifamily Energy And Water Efficiency Program
4. Bonneville Power Administration: Save Water-Save Energy Agricultural Energy Efficiency Program
5. Denver Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA): Watts To Water
6. Town of Windsor, California: Windsor Efficiency PAYS®

Sustained Achievement:
1. Resource Action Programs: LivingWise

Award winners will be recognized during the Water Environment Federation's 2013 Energy and Water Conference on May 6, 2013 in Nashville, TN.

About the Florida Green Building Coalition
The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) is a nonprofit 501(C)3 Florida corporation founded in 2000 dedicated to improving the built environment. Its mission is "to lead and promote sustainability with environmental, economic, and social benefits through regional education and certification programs." FGBC certification programs are the only standards developed with climate specific criteria to address issues caused by Florida’s hot-humid environment and natural disasters. Currently, FGBC is the leading certifier of green projects in Florida.

About ACEEE and AWE
ACEEE is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For more information, visit aceee.org.

AWE is a stakeholder-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water.  Headquartered in Chicago, the Alliance serves as a North American advocate for water efficient products and programs, and provides information and assistance on water conservation efforts. For more information, visit allianceforwaterefficiency.org.

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