EPA Recognizes Transwestern With 7th Consecutive ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award

NINE-TIME OVERALL ENERGY STAR AWARD WINNER; FIRST THIRD-PARTY SERVICES FIRM TO WIN BOTH PARTNER OF THE YEAR AND SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE

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Transwestern

Mar 01, 2012, 11:11 ET

HOUSTON, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Transwestern a 2012 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in sustainability practices and reducing overall energy consumption at its managed properties. Transwestern's accomplishments will be recognized, along with other industry-leading firms, at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20th anniversary of ENERGY STAR. Transwestern, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2002, was previously recognized in 2004 and 2005 as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year and in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 as a Sustained Excellence recipient - the first third-party commercial real estate services provider to achieve both designations.

In 2011, the firm's energy management practices were responsible for reducing energy consumption by 7.5 million kWh. This reduction avoided 5,708 metric tons of CO2 emissions, which is equal to saving 639,946 gallons of gasoline from consumption. In 2011, Transwestern was among the first third-party management services firms to begin benchmarking its industrial portfolio in ENERGY STAR's portfolio manager. Currently, Transwestern's management portfolio has an average ENERGY STAR rating of 82 and the firm has benchmarked over 40.6 million square feet of office space across the country; 105 buildings within that portfolio possess the ENERGY STAR label.

"We hold our partnership with the EPA and ENERGY STAR in the highest regard and are delighted to receive this prestigious recognition for another year," said Larry P. Heard, Transwestern's president and chief executive officer. "Transwestern is committed to proactive energy management and implementing industry-leading techniques that optimize building operations and yield heightened financial performance, enabling our clients to maximize their investment returns. We are pleased to be recognized, along with these other outstanding organizations, for these important initiatives."

The 2012 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. Award winners are selected from approximately 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA is proud to recognize Transwestern with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Transwestern is helping Americans find cost-effective ways to save energy in everything we do, which is good for our climate, our health, and our future."

About Transwestern:
Transwestern is a national, privately-held operating company specializing in commercial real estate services, investment and development. The firm's fully integrated approach delivers value to owners, investors and users of commercial real estate through innovation, penetrating market intelligence and legendary service delivered by teams of local experts. Transwestern has product specialties in office, industrial, retail, multifamily and healthcare and is an industry leader in sustainability solutions and in market research through its affiliate, Delta Associates.

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. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. About 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

SOURCE Transwestern