HUD Secretary Martinez, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman and Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary David Garman signed a formal partnership on Tuesday to promote ENERGY STAR throughout HUD's affordable housing programs. Efforts to promote ENERGY STAR will not only improve the energy efficiency of the affordable housing stock, but will help protect the environment.

"President Bush directed the federal government to find ways to promote energy efficiency and conservation," said HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. "Today's agreement is a major step towards ensuring that our agencies work together to improve the energy efficiency of new and existing homes by promoting the use of Energy Star."

"EPA's Energy Star program provides government agencies, businesses, and consumers, with the opportunity to buy energy efficient products that conserve energy, save money, and protect the environment," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "We have seen the success that can be had when agencies come together with shared resources and knowledge to achieve our goals. I'm pleased to be here today with Secretary Martinez and Assistant Secretary Garman to solidify the commitment of EPA, HUD and the Department of Energy to work together towards achieving the goals of the President's National Energy Policy."

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the three agencies have made a commitment to work together to improve the energy efficiency of HUD's public, assisted and insured housing - as well as housing financed through HUD's formula or competitive grant programs.

In accordance with the Bush Administration's National Energy Policy, the MOU identifies areas where EPA, DOE and HUD will coordinate resources and approaches to expand the use of ENERGY STAR -labeled products in HUD-financed housing, expand the number of ENERGY STAR -labeled new homes financed by HUD, and generally promote energy efficiency improvements in both new and existing HUD-financed housing.

Among many steps outlined in the MOU, HUD, EPA and DOE will help housing authorities buy ENERGY STAR-labeled products and implement strategies for new housing financed through HUD's HOPE VI program to achieve an ENERGY STAR designation.

In any single year, HUD assists more than five million renters and home owners through its various programs. This is approximately five percent of all housing. HUD spends an estimated $4 billion each year on energy on behalf of renters and home owners. EPA estimates that an individual apartment renter can save 15% to 20% with the installation of ENERGY STAR appliances such as refrigerators, window air-conditioners and lighting and other ENERGY STAR products. An ENERGY STAR labeled new home can save 30% or more on heating and cooling bills. This can be a savings of $200 to $400 a year.

Read the full news release.
Read the full MOU.
Get more information about ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov) on the Internet, or call 1-888-STAR-YES.