As Mayor Kenney has said before, “It is up to us to lead by example.” Today marks the launch of the Philadelphia 2030 District, a public-private partnership to that brings together property owners and managers, utilities and energy service companies, and community organizations to pledge to achieve a 50 percent reduction in energy and water usage and transportation emissions by the year 2030.

The City of Philadelphia has a leading role to play in this new initiative. Energy efficiency projects are currently underway at many of the city’s buildings and built environment. And today, we are pleased to announce that One Parkway Building, on 1515 Arch Street, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance, the first city-owned building to receive this recognition.

“One Parkway Building continues to demonstrate true environmental leadership by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions that are proven to contribute to climate change,” stated Jean Lupinacci, ENERGY STAR Director for Commercial & Industrial Buildings. “Today, 45 percent of U.S. emissions are attributable to commercial and industrial buildings, which is why improving energy efficiency is so critical for our future.”

ENERGY STAR certified buildings and facilities are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide, based on weather-normalized source energy use that takes into account occupancy, hours of operation, and other key metrics. ENERGY STAR is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance.

“We’re honored to earn the ENERGY STAR label at One Parkway and appreciate the efforts of everyone who has been involved in its efficient operation,” said Dominic McGraw, Energy Project Coordinator with the City of Philadelphia’s Energy Office. “Saving energy is just one of the ways we show our community we care, and that we’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment and public health, both today and for future generations.”

McGraw credits this success to the Quadplex Guaranteed Energy Savings Project. The completed project included nine standard energy conservation measures throughout four city-owned buildings: City Hall, Municipal Services Building, One Parkway, and the Criminal Justice Center. In One Parkway, building control systems were upgraded, the building envelope was improved, and lighting was improved.

In addition, through the Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Fund (EESF), more lighting improvements were retrofitted this summer in 24-hour areas used by the Department of Human Services. The Office of Sustainability (OOS) created the EESF to encourage City agencies to reduce their energy use. The EESF offers funding to departments on a competitive basis to support the implementation of energy efficiency projects within existing City-owned facilities. EESF investments have saved the City approximately $1.7 million in energy costs over the life of the program.

On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35 percent less energy, cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers—all without sacrifices in performance or comfort.

To date, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across all fifty states have earned the ENERGY STAR. For more information about ENERGY STAR for Buildings and Plants, visit energystar.gov/buildings.