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Better Buildings Challenge Partners Save $1.9 Billion

May 18, 2017
The 345 organizations participating in the Better Buildings Challenge have realized energy and cost savings of 240 trillion Btu and an estimated $1.9 billion.

The 345 public- and private-sector organizations participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Better Buildings Challenge have realized cumulative energy and cost savings of 240 trillion Btu and an estimated $1.9 billion, a new report reveals.

The 2017 Better Buildings Progress Report highlights accomplishments across the broader Better Buildings Initiative, the goal of which is to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20 percent more energy-efficient over the next decade by focusing on overcoming market barriers and sharing partner-created solutions.

“Through the Better Buildings Initiative, hundreds of leaders from the public and private sectors are demonstrating innovative approaches and deepening American investments in critical building infrastructure,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said. “By planning ahead and investing in cost-effective energy-efficiency strategies, partners are bringing better buildings to our communities and improving the everyday places Americans live and work while creating new and lasting jobs.”

Organizations from diverse sectors have committed to improving energy intensity across their entire building portfolios by at least 20 percent within a decade. The organizations represent more than 4.4 billion sq ft of building space, include more than 1,000 industrial facilities, and have committed $7 billion in financing. Partners have shared energy-performance results for nearly 38,000 properties. On average, partners are improving by more than 2 percent per year and are on track to meet their energy-savings goals of 20 percent over the next 10 years.

Since the start of the program, 40 Challenge partners have met their energy goals and six have met their water goals, while 12 financial allies have placed sufficient investments to meet their financing goals.

This year’s 14 energy- and water-goal achievers are:

  • Celanese International Corp.
  • Chesapeake College.
  • CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc.
  • Deustche Asset Management.
  • Digital Realty Trust.
  • General Motors (water).
  • Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly.
  • Johnson Controls.
  • Macy's.
  • Schneider Electric.
  • Shorenstein Properties LLC.
  • Staples (water).
  • The Tower Cos.
  • Towson University.

The four financial allies that have met their goals this year are:

  • Biostar Renewables.
  • CleanFund LLC.
  • LISC.
  • Renew Financial.

More than 35 partners and financial allies have joined the Better Buildings Challenge over the last year, committing 200 million sq ft of building space, nearly 40 plants, and $650 million for efficiency projects. These partners are contributing to the more than 1,000 proven solutions now available online in the Better Buildings Solution Center.