Diageo's Norwalk, CT Headquarters Awarded EPA's ENERGY STAR(R) Rating for Superior Energy Efficiency

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Mar 02, 2010, 08:17 ET

NORWALK, Conn., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the world's leading spirits, wine, and beer company, today announced that its Norwalk, CT headquarters has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) prestigious ENERGY STAR rating, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. This signifies that the building's energy performance rates in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide.

"At Diageo we are committed to increasing sustainability and are constantly evaluating our facilities to see how we can reduce our environmental impact," said Roberta Barbieri, Diageo's Global Environmental Project Manager. "This accomplishment is another step towards reducing our impact on climate change, water resources and waste. We would like to recognize our corporate real estate team for working vigorously to achieve this important rating."

Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. To qualify for the designation, Diageo improved its energy performance by implementing a number of successful energy saving initiatives. The Connecticut headquarters has prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use of 112 households for a year.

The initiatives implemented by Diageo to earn the ENERGY STAR were a combination of strategy, technology and culture change. Some of the more impactful measures taken were:

Installation of occupancy sensors on interior lights
Installation of timers on common area lighting
Replacement of light bulbs with more energy efficient varieties
Strategic automation of heating and cooling systems
Harnessing and use of natural light and airflow
Employee behavioral changes resulting from raised awareness

"Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to preserving our environment and our natural resources," said Jean Lupinacci, chief of EPA's ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial branch. "From office buildings to hotels, supermarkets to schools, the ENERGY STAR distinguishes those organizations who are taking environmental responsibility into their own hands."

The EPA's national energy performance rating system provides a 1-100 scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the ENERGY STAR. Commercial buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retail stores, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, and warehouses.

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at < http://www.diageo.com >.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, new homes, and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $19 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles. For more information about ENERGY STAR visit www.energystar.gov.

SOURCE Diageo