128 businesses and organizations in 33 states across the nation, are being honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy with the Energy Star’s Partner of the Year award. Recognized for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment, these awardees prevented more than 300 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and reduced utility bills for Americans by $34 billion.


The awardees are a diverse group of manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, home builders, and both large and small companies that are promoting Energy Star products and practices within their organizations, while providing energy- efficient products and services to their customers.  By offering customers utility rebates and providing more efficient products and options, the Energy Star Awardees are helping families save money by saving energy, and this commitment to superior energy efficiency is the cornerstone for such achievement and recognition. 


In addition, a number of organizations honored as Partner of the Year are also partners in DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge:

  • Best Buy Co., Inc. (Richfield, MN)
  • Eastman Chemical Company (Kingsport, TN)
  • General Motors Company (Detroit, MI)
  • Kohl's Department Stores (Menomonee Falls, WI)
  • New York-Presbyterian Hospital (New York, NY)
  • Nissan North America, Inc. (Franklin, TN)
  • Saint-Gobain (Valley Forge, PA)
  • Staples, Inc. (Framingham, MA)
  • TIAA-CREF (New York, NY)
  • TRANSWESTERN (Houston, TX) – Under Secretary just visited
  • USAA Real Estate Company (San Antonio, TX)

The Better Buildings Challenge is a voluntary leadership initiative that asks leading CEOs and executives of U.S. companies, universities, school districts, multifamily residential organizations, and state and local government to make a public commitment to energy efficiency. Through the Better Buildings Challenge, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is highlighting leaders that have committed to upgrading buildings and plants across their portfolio, and providing their energy savings data and strategies as models for others to follow.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.