This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) debuted its upgraded ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager  tool.  The no-cost popular online tool allows organizations - including school districts, businesses, and local governments - to benchmark, track and manage energy and water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions against national averages.

A few improvements to the "turbo-charged" tool include:

• Improved collaboration with advanced sharing functions
• Better reporting functions to that improve ability to analyze data and create colorful charts and graphics
• Easier data entry with enhanced graphics, wizards, and prompts
• Custom tabs that allow you to set goals to track both current and future projects
• Ability to manage buildings across their lifecycle (from design to occupancy)

Local governments across the nation have been using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to meet goals in energy efficiency and save operating costs. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use, on average, 35 percent less energy and generate 35 percent fewer GHG emissions. To learn more about EPA's ENERGY STAR program for buildings and Portfolio Manager, visit www.energystar.gov/buildings.