The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has been named an Energy Star Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The distinction recognizes SCRS’s effort to bring solutions and programs to its membership which increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Steven Schillinger, president of GRC-Pirk, a registered environmental assessment company that manages the SCRS-recognized GreenSweep program, estimates that repair facilities participating in the member benefit program can increase their energy efficiency by 10 percent in 2012 over 2011, while reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30 percent.
"Collision shops are large buildings filled with extensive lighting, paint and preparation booths, computers and motors," says Schillinger. "The amount of equipment that’s necessary to run the business makes them prone to devouring energy. In fact, the EPA estimates that if automotive shops reduced their energy consumption by just 10 percent, they would save about $193 million in energy costs, and cut more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gases each year."
Added SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg, "In these challenging economic times, our focus on energy efficiency is generating real cost savings for our members. It’s also a great advantage for us to help our members achieve sustainable improvements that reduce our environmental impact and preserve resources for the future. This recognition by the EPA as an Energy Star Partner organization underscores our commitment to our members to help them help the environment."
"We have learned over the years that small business can save just as much per square foot as big businesses can. Typically, this translates to about 30 percent in most cases," said Jerry Lawson, national manager of the Energy Star Small Business Network. "The key is to start with the low-cost and no-cost actions and strategies, and then you can roll those savings into even larger investments."
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