Three Pennsylvania organizations are among those showcased in a report released this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

The award winners include: Giant Eagle Inc. in Pittsburgh, Pa., Gorell Enterprises, Inc. in Indiana, Pa. and the Council Rock School District in Newtown, Pa.

The report, “Profiles in Leadership, 2008 Energy Star Award Winners,” highlights 74 award-winning organizations across many sectors of the U.S. economy.

"These energy all-stars prove that a brighter future starts with each of us,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator EPA. "We are glad to partner with organizations in the mid-Atlantic region to preserve our environment and our energy resources.”

National award winners were selected from the 12,000 organizations in the Energy Star program. Energy Star partners commit to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. The winners have made substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. They are both large and small organizations with long track records of success as well as those that are quickly excelling in energy efficiency.

In 2007 with the help of Energy Star, Americans saved $16 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles. To date, more than 2.5 billion Energy Star qualified products have been sold, and nearly 840,000 new homes and 4,000 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings have earned the Energy Star. Energy Star qualified products provide what today’s consumers expect.

The report is posted online.

4/4/2008