News Release: May 5 , 2022

 

Hawaii Energy Receives National Award From U.S. Environmental Protection Agency And U.S Department Of Energy

Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaii Energy, the state’s Public Benefits Fund administrator that focuses on energy-efficiency education and clean-energy initiatives, is proud to announce that it has received the 2022 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR® recognizes organizations across the U.S. for implementing high-performing energy efficiency programs to improve the efficiency of products, homes, and buildings within their community.

“This is the second year in row that Hawaii Energy has received this prestigious award for working to make energy efficiency more accessible and affordable to Hawaii’s families and businesses.” said Caroline Carl, executive director, Hawaii Energy. “Many of us are still feeling the economic impacts of the pandemic, and with energy prices on the rise, we’re so proud to be able to help thousands of residents and businesses switch to products that will help them save money for years to come.”

Hawaii Energy was recognized for the following programs that were designed to adopt ENERGY STAR® products and best practices:

  • Specialized offers for residents in low-to-moderate income communities that included:
    • Appliance trade-up programs, where households could purchase significantly-discounted ENERGY STAR refrigerators and freezers by trading in an old model; and
    • Free in-home installations of smaller energy-saving devices, including high-efficiency shower heads, smart power strips and LED light bulbs;
  • A collaboration with select ACE Hardware stores where customers could exchange inefficient bulbs for ENERGY STAR LEDs for free or purchase LEDs for $1 each;
  • A collaboration with Hawaii Foodbank to distribute LED light bulbs to residents in need at drive-up food distribution events;
  • The Energy Relief Grant, which provided emergency funding for ENERGY STAR commercial kitchen equipment, air conditioners, and more to local businesses recovering from the pandemic;
  • The launch of a new rebate for ENERGY STAR dual-inverter air conditioners for businesses;
  • Ongoing rebate offers for window ACs, heat pump water heaters, and more to incentivize purchasing ENERGY STAR models; and
  • An extensive Energy Awareness Month campaign in October 2021 that included television, radio and digital advertising, email marketing, and giveaways on social media to promote the adoption/usage of ENERGY STAR home appliances.

Each year, the ENERGY STAR® program honors a group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy achievements. ENERGY STAR® award winners lead their industries in the production, sale, and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services, and strategies. These efforts are essential to fighting the climate crisis and protecting public health.

“We know it’s going to take all of us working together to tackle the climate crisis, and the 2022 ENERGY STAR award-winning partners are demonstrating what it takes to build a more sustainable future,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These companies are showing once again that taking action in support of a clean energy economy can be good not only for the environment, but also for business and customers.”

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR® partners. For a complete list of 2022 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR®’s awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners.

ABOUT ENERGY STAR®

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500®—rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts and state-level information can be found at www.energystar.gov/statefacts.

 

Media Contact:

Angela Behm
Stryker Weiner Yokota
angela@strykerweiner.com
(808) 523-8802