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Recognizing and Congratulating the City of Philadelphia on its recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the top 20 cities in the country with Energy Star certified buildings.
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WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia wishes to become the Greenest City in America by 2015 and a leader in clean energy development and technology; and
WHEREAS, Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for nearly 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, at a cost of more than $100 billion per year; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Mayor Michael A. Nutter introduced an ambitious target to reduce citywide building energy consumption by ten percent in the year 2015; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Council confirmed Mayor Nutter's sustainability priorities and demonstrated leadership in this important area by passing legislation to improve the City's capacity to design, construct and operate City buildings that meet high standards for environmental stewardship; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded its first Energy Star to encourage energy-efficient modification of new and existing buildings across the country; and
WHEREAS, Commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star must perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide compared to similar buildings and be independently verified by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect each year; and
WHEREAS, Energy Star buildings use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide than average buildings, thereby protecting the nation's air quality, reducing energy use and saving money; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia reduced its energy use by over 13% and earned Energy Star certification by installing electronic thermostats in guest rooms, retrofitting incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lights, centralizing controls for ballroom lighting systems, managing water treatment chemical levels to optimize heat exchangers and chillers and piloting an innovative urban wind generation project; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority headquarters in Philadelphia also received Energy Star certification, in party by installing energy-efficient chillers, new electronic controls and lightings, water-saving toilets and a new reflective cool roof; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is now among the top 20 cities with Energy Star certified buildings, and is well on its way to becoming the Greenest City in America because of the sustained efforts of organizations like Loews Hotels and SEPTA; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and congratulate the City of Philadelphia on its recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the top 20 cities in the country with Energy Star certified buildings.
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