Energy Management

Energy and Sustainability

According to the US Department of Energy, commercial buildings represented 18% of primary energy consumption in the U.S. and used 36% of the nation's electricity in 2006. Therefore, a common thread between the sustainability reports of organizations participating in Environment@rtp is the need to conserve energy and maximize efficiency while reducing pollution. Companies in RTP have employed several strategies to achieve this goal, from using advanced energy-saving servers and replacing travel with technology to create virtual meeting environments to constructing solar arrays and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings.  In addition to having an early LEED project with its National Computer Center, the EPA also develops programs to drive down energy use including Energy Star and Labs21.