Building identified as one of the most energy efficient in the nation

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Oct 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Nissan Americas building's innovative energy-saving features has earned it the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious 2009 ENERGY STAR®. The award signifies the building's energy performance rates in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide. Nissan Americas, which opened in July 2008, serves as the regional headquarters for North, Central, South and Latin America.

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"Nissan Americas is a statement of our overall commitment to the environment and to energy savings," said John Harris, director of Facilities and Environmental Engineering. "The ENERGY STAR® award recognizes Nissan's ground-breaking efforts in constructing a building that has numerous features designed to maximize energy efficiency and reduce the impact on the environment."

Nissan's manufacturing plants in Smyrna, Tenn., and Canton, Miss., have received ENERGY STAR® awards during the last three years. The plants, including Nissan's powertrain assembly plant in Decherd, Tenn., have seen their energy efficiency improve by more than 30 percent, saving the company more than $11.5 million per year.

"Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to protecting our environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Kathleen Hogan, director of EPA's Climate Protection Partnerships Division. "From office buildings to hotels, supermarkets to schools, EPA's ENERGY STAR® distinguishes those organizations who are taking environmental responsibility into their own hands."

The ENERGY STAR® is the mark of superior energy performance and identifies Nissan Americas as one of the most efficient buildings in the nation. Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR® designation use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide in to the atmosphere.

Key design features in Nissan Americas that contribute to energy savings and environmental protection include:

• Heating and cooling efficiency through an under-floor ventilation system
• Low-emissivity (Low-E) Glass
• Light harvesting
• Sunshades
• Green roof system
• Runoff water collection system
  

In 2006, Nissan pledged to become an ENERGY STAR® partner and committed to three principal actions that include measuring and benchmarking energy performance; reducing the intensity of energy use at all facilities; and educating staff and the public about ENERGY STAR®.

ENERGY STAR®

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, ENERGY STAR® offers business and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR® partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, building and business. For more information about ENERGY STAR®, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937)

Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and http://www.nissandriven.com/www.InfinitiUSA.com.

SOURCE Nissan North America

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