In April, the Energy Department recognized Better Buildings Challenge San Antonio, Texas area partners.  Dr. Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency met with Macy’s and the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), learning how each organization is meeting their commitments to improve the energy use of their entire respective building portfolios by at least 20% over the next decade. 

As part of the recognition, Energy Department officials had the opportunity to tour SAHA’s, Better Building’s showcase project, Marie McGuire Lofts apartments. SAHA expects to save 10% this year on energy costs within this property, and in subsequent years expects to achieve 50% energy savings. To reach this goal, the Marie McGuire apartments is taking a dual approach. In addition to the building energy efficiency improvements, SAHA is reaching out to tenants through energy efficiency education programs. Part of the upgrades to the residential units include low-e window installations, which help to reduce energy consumption by 70% during heating season and 85% during the cooling season, saving residents $100 annually.


Energy Department officials also recognized Macy’s touring an anchor store at Ingram Park Mall. Macy’s has achieved 16 % energy savings across its 170 million square feet of buildings nationwide. Electricity use improved by 30% at the Ingram Park Mall store’s  as a result of replacing over 1,100 accent lights with LED lamps and installing a high-efficiency, white roof.  SAHA and Macy’s are two of more than 250 partners in the Better Buildings Challenge. Through the Better Buildings Challenge, partners help our nation save billions of dollars in energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create thousands of clean energy jobs.

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.