MSHDA Building Awarded Prestigious ENERGY STAR Rating

LANSING, Mich., July 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Michigan State Housing Development Authority's (MSHDA) Lansing office building has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) prestigious ENERGY STAR, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. Commercial buildings and industrial plants that rate in the top 25 percent of facilities in the nation for energy efficiency may qualify for the ENERGY STAR.

"MSHDA is pleased to accept EPA's ENERGY STAR in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts," said Gary Heidel, MSHDA's interim executive director. "Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs."

The MSHDA building was the former site of the Michigan State Library, reconstructed in 2000 with MSHDA staff taking occupancy in the fall of 2001. The facility is classified as a smart building with the latest communication and HVAC control systems installed at the time of renovation. The building's HVAC has 130 Heat/Air pumps which are computer controlled by a Novar temperature control system.

Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

"Whether you are running a grocery store, a school, or an office building, getting the most out of your energy dollars – while reducing your carbon footprint – just makes sense," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

EPA's national energy performance rating system provides a 1-100 scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their building uses energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. The MSHDA building was rated an 81. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the ENERGY STAR. Commercial Buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retailers, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, and warehouses.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficient specifications set by the government.  2009 marked another year of impressive growth and continued success for the ENERGY STAR program. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, prevented 45 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions last year alone–– equivalent to the annual emissions from 30 million vehicles and saved nearly $17 billion on their utility bills.

For more information about ENERGY STAR visit www.energystar.gov

For more information about MSHDA visit www.michigan.gov/mshda

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is dedicated to building a thriving and vibrant future for Michigan. MSHDA provides tools and resources to improve people's lives through programs across the state. These programs assist with housing, build strong neighborhoods, and help create places where people want to live and work. MSHDA's programs work in four areas: affordable rental housing; supporting homeownership; ending homelessness; and creating vibrant cites and neighborhoods.*

*MSHDA's loan and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs.

SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority