WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Counties, representing more than 1,500 county officials, has joined with the U.S. EPA in challenging counties to protect the environment, save energy and cut operating costs by improving the energy efficiency of county courthouse and office buildings.

NACo's Energy Star Courthouse Campaign sets standards by which counties can rate the energy performance of their courthouses and office buildings and win recognition by EPA for superior energy performance.

Government agencies spend more than $10 billion a year on energy to provide public services and meet constituent needs -- while grappling with tightening budgets. Buildings that earn the Energy Star for superior energy performance use about 40 percent less energy than average buildings, while cutting costs and reducing power plant emissions.

EPA offers the Energy Star program to businesses, governments, and other organizations as a straightforward way to adopt superior energy management and realize the cost savings and environmental benefits that can result. EPA promotes a strategy for superior energy management that starts with top leadership, engages the appropriate employees throughout the organization, uses standardized measurement tools, and helps an organization prioritize to get the most from its energy efficiency investments.

Last year alone, with the help of Energy Star, Americans saved enough energy to power 20 million homes, preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 18 million cars while saving $9 billion on their energy bills.