DOE Releases 2021 Better Buildings Progress Report

The Department of Energy has released a new report highlighting the progress made by public and private sector partners involved in the Better Buildings Initiative.

Launched in 2011, the initiative aims to make the nation’s homes, commercial buildings and industrial plants more energy efficient through investment upgrades and the sharing of best practices.

According to the 2021 Better Buildings Progress Report, participating organizations helped save $13.5 billion in energy costs and over 130 million metric tons of carbon emissions in the past year, the DOE said.

The report recognized 12 organizations for meeting financial goals and demonstrating leadership in energy and water efficiency.

One of the exemplary companies is Ford Motor. The automotive industry leader developed a comprehensive energy management operating system to help reduce energy consumption. In addition, Ford adopted a digital energy management tool at its site in Dearborn, Michigan.

Steelcase, a leading manufacturer of office environments, is another exemplary leader in energy efficiency. The company was recognized for upgrading to LED lighting across many facilities, implementing third-party energy engineering audits and conducting workshops to enhance material efficiency and recyclability.

Also included in the list is Walgreens. The pharmacy store chain was able to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint by investing in energy-efficient technologies, installing energy management systems in thousands of locations and relying on solar power at 240 sites.

The 12 leading organizations were recognized during the Better Buildings Summit, where the DOE launched its latest L-Prize competition. The contest started in 2011 with the goal of promoting the use of next-generation LED lights.