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Image of Port Headquarters Awarded Fifth Consecutive Energy Star Label

Port Headquarters Awarded Fifth Consecutive Energy Star Label

Press Releases, Seaport, Community
March 15th, 2011

Press Releases

For Immediate Release
March 15, 2011

Port of Oakland Headquarters Awarded Fifth Consecutive Energy Star Label

U.S. EPA and Department of Energy certify Port headquarters for energy efficiency

Oakland, CA.–March, 2011–The Port of Oakland headquarters located at 530 Water Street earns the Energy Star label from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Energy for the fifth consecutive year. The Energy Star label is awarded based on a comparison of a facility's energy performance (electricity and gas usage) to that of similar facilities around the US. The label shows a particular facility's energy performance on a scale of 1 to 100. The Port of Oakland headquarters scored 84, which means that it ranked in the top 16% of EPA benchmarked facilities nationwide.

Energy Star is commonly recognized from products such as computers, refrigerators and other electrical equipment; however, buildings can earn this distinction as well. To achieve an Energy Star award, a facility must rank among the top 25% most energy-efficient buildings in the market. Factors that affect scoring include building systems, hours of operation, regional climate, equipment scheduling and monitoring the equipment.

Since 2007, the Port of Oakland has annually saved, through its operations port wide, an average of 138,140 kilowatt-hours in energy efficiency and 30 kilowatts in energy demand. “The Port of Oakland strives to continually exceed former goals for energy efficiency,” said President of the Board of Port Commissioners James Head. ”In March of 2010, the Port of Oakland adopted new energy efficiency savings and demand reduction goals for 2011 – 2020.” The Board adopted a goal of 4,731,000 kilowatt-hours in energy efficiency savings (equivalent to the energy required to power 730 typical residential customers for 1 year) and 400 kilowatts in energy demand reduction over the next 10 years.

“We are very proud to be winning the Energy Star award for the fifth year in a row. It is a testament to our determination to reduce the Port’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of electricity that we use daily,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin. “Environmental stewardship is a lens for all of our Port activities. This is another good example of our continuing efforts to conserve energy and utilize resources more efficiently."

The Port of Oakland is one of only eleven buildings that have the Energy Star distinction within the City of Oakland. The other ten Energy Star properties are owned by the following: Brandywine Realty Trust, CIM Oakland Center 21, LP, CalSTERS, Citigroup, OCC Venture LLC (2 properties), Oakland, 14th Office Inc., SIC-Lakeside Drive, LLC c/o the Swig Company, Sparknight, LLC and StopWaste.org.

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport, offering 130 daily flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Please visit: www.portofoakland.com.

About Energy Star
Energy Star was introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 product categories as well as new homes and buildings. Products that have earned the Energy Star designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2009 alone, American businesses, organizations and consumers saved $17 billion on their energy bills, with the help of Energy Star.

Media Contacts:

Robert Bernado
Communications Manager
(510) 627-1401
[email protected]