The California Autobody Association (CAA) announced it has been named an Energy Star Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recognition of the CAA’s efforts to help its members increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
CAA says it’s committed to achieving energy efficiency targets and has set energy conservation goals for its members. Steven Schillinger, EPA partnership consultant, estimates that CAA member shops will increase their energy efficiency by 32 percent in 2010 over 2009, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent. Similar Energy Star Partnerships are generating annual cost savings of more than $80 million compared to 2008 efficiency levels, CAA says.
As an Energy Star Partner, EPA recognizes CAA’s approach to energy management, which includes utility-feed tracking of energy use for its member shops, the use of more energy efficient equipment and lighting fixtures, programs to raise employees’ awareness of their roles in improving energy efficiency and emphasis on Certified Green Investment (CGI) registration.
"In these challenging economic times, our focus on energy efficiency is generating real cost savings for our members, while helping us improve sustainability, reduce our environmental impact and preserve resources for the future," said David McClune, CAA executive director. “This recognition as an EPA Energy Star Partner underscores our commitment to our members to help them help sustain the environment in the state of California.”
Schillinger, president of GRC-Pirk, added, "EPA has recognized CAA for leadership in addressing global warming through greater energy efficiency. Because collision repair facilities account for a measurable portion of greenhouse gas emissions, the association’s efforts are vital to protecting our global environment."
Energy Star was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, more than 15,000 organizations are Energy Star Partners.
More information:
• CAA Survey Questions Quality of CAPA-Certified Parts
• CAA to Recommend ‘Blend Within Panel’ to Database Providers
• CAA
