(HOUSTON) – Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency.
Hines will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 12.
This is the seventh time Hines has been recognized by the EPA as a Partner of the Year and the fourth time Hines has received the Sustained Excellence Award.
Hines’ portfolio of ENERGY STAR buildings consists of 154 facilities and more than 75 million square feet. With a weighted-average performance rating of 85 (35 points higher than the national average), the portfolio is 36.1 percent more energy efficient than the national average. This translates into an estimated annual greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to removing over 50,000 automobiles from the road for one year.
Hines is also a leading developer in the EPA’s Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR program, which recognizes buildings designed to achieve superior results in energy efficiency.
Twelve Hines projects have earned this designation.
“Hines has earned EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR award – the 2011 Sustained Excellence Award,” said Elizabeth Craig, acting director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs.
“Hines’ long-term leadership and commitment to energy efficiency demonstrates the types of accomplishments that we can all achieve in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our global environment.
We look forward to their continued partnership and leadership.”
In addition to emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency to its tenants, Hines offers its “GREEN OFFICE for Tenants” program to enhance sustainable operations within tenant spaces.
“Energy efficiency is one of the most important value drivers in today’s real estate economy,” said Hines President and CEO Jeffrey C. Hines.
“We use ENERGY STAR in tandem with Hines’ proprietary building management tools to support our engineering efforts to maximize performance, minimize risk and preserve long-term value.”
Hines is also a leader in the U.S. Green Building Council’s programs, with 205
projects, representing more than 107 million square feet that have been certified, pre-certified or registered under the various LEED rating systems.
About ENERGY STAR Awards
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy use. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 kinds of products as well as new homes and buildings. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas equivalent to those of 34 million cars. Products, homes and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR prevent emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA.
For more information, go to www.energystar.gov.
About Hines
Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in real estate investment, development and property management worldwide. The firm’s historical and current portfolio of projects that are underway, completed, acquired and managed for third parties includes 1,126 properties representing more than 459 million square feet of office, residential, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical and sports facilities, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments. With offices in 106 cities in 17 countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $23.7 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world. Visit www.hines.com for more information.