The City of Surprise has joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR Program and as a partner will work to improve the city’s energy efficiency through a strategic, corporate energy management program.

"This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to help preserve the environment for future generations and lower our energy costs by improving the energy efficiency of city buildings,” says City of Surprise Sustainability Manager Terry Lowe. “Sustainable initiatives are included in City Council’s Strategic Plan and this partnership is a nice complement to that plan.”

As an ENERGY STAR partner, the city will:

• Measure and track the energy performance of city facilities where possible by using tools such as those offered through ENERGY STAR
• Develop and implement a plan consistent with the ENERGY STAR Energy Management Guidelines to achieve energy savings
• Help spread the word about the importance of energy efficiency to staff and the community
• Support the ENERGY STAR Challenge, a national call-to-action to help improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings

The EPA introduced the ENERGY STAR program in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.  Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 34 million vehicles.

For more information about the city’s Sustainability Initiatives visit www.surpriseaz.gov/greensurprise or contact the Sustainability Division of Public Works at sustainability@surpriseaz.gov or the Marketing and Communications Division at 623.222.1422.