March 1 , 2007

LOUISVILLE, KY –Mayor Jerry Abramson announced today that the Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) is a recipient of the 2007 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing. 

Louisville received the honor for its commitment to construct energy-efficient housing at Liberty Green. Liberty Green is the new, $233 million mixed-income development located in east downtown that was once home to the Clarksdale public housing complex. Liberty Green is Louisville’s second Hope VI community.

The ENERGY STAR designation signifies that all constructed buildings and units at Liberty Green are up to 30 percent more efficient than required by building codes. This will result in dramatic savings in energy costs for consumers who lease or purchase homes. ENERGY STAR features include: higher levels of insulation, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, energy-efficient windows and enhanced ductwork.

“As the city constructs new buildings and partners in new developments, it is important for us to keep a watchful eye on construction practices that are environmentally friendly and conserve energy,” Abramson said. “By doing so at Liberty Green, we are able to not only conserve resources, but our new residents will be able to see a considerable savings on their energy bills.”

The ENERGY STAR Award is presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"I am proud that Louisville has taken center stage on this national initiative," Congressman John Yarmuth said. "Louisville is a national model for Hope VI projects, and I hope this latest honor for Liberty Green will inspire other housing authorities and apartment developments across the country to consider energy-efficient construction."

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency.

Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations.

More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.

Last year alone, people using ENERGY STAR approved products saved $14 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of the pollution produced by more than 25 million vehicles.

For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free  1-888-STAR-YES ( 1-888-782-7937).