Media Advisory - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anita Ledbetter, Executive Director

Metropolitan Partnership for Energy

210.224.7278

aledbetter@buildsagreen.org

Build San Antonio Green™ Saves Energy, Utility Costs for Homeowners

The Metropolitan Partnership for Energy (MPE) is a non-profit organization and an official partnership of Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System, VIA Metropolitan Transit, the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the Greater Bexar County Council of Cities, and Solar San Antonio. MPE works with our Partners to develop and implement energy and emissions reduction policies for air quality improvement, water conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. MPE also is an official Program Sponsor of the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® program.

The MPE’s main program is Build San Antonio Green™, our community’s residential green building program. There has been tremendous growth in the Build San Antonio Green™ program in the last year. From mid- 2007 to the present, 139 homes have been certified as built green under the program, and several hundred homes are expected to receive certification in 2008.

As a result of the homes certified under the Build San Antonio Green™ program, over 800,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions are being prevented each year, which is the equivalent of taking 68 cars off the road. Together, green home owners are saving over $44,000 per year in energy costs. These reductions are due to the increased energy efficiency of the Build San Antonio Green™ homes.

The Build San Antonio Green™ program focuses on five areas: site management, energy efficiency, water conservation, materials, and health/indoor air quality. Build San Antonio Green™ is not only our community’s local green building program, it is also the only green building program that includes and encourages the Unified Development Code Neighborhood Patterns, SAWS Rebates and Landscape List, San Antonio Landscape Care Guide, CPS Energy Rebates and Net Metering Program, and The City of San Antonio’s Tree Protection Ordinance. Build San Antonio Green™ is also the only green building program that was developed specifically for the unique climate conditions in the San Antonio area.

Many useful tools can be found at MPE’s website: www.buildsagreen.org. The website includes information about current rebates and incentives offered by CPS Energy and SAWS, a complete list of Build San Antonio Green™ members, including builders, architects and materials providers, as well as upcoming events, workshops and tours MPE will be holding to educate the public about green building and its benefits.

For more information about the Build San Antonio Green™ Program and how MPE is working to increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and increase sustainability, please contact Anita Ledbetter, Executive Director of MPE at 210.224.7278 or aledbetter@buildsagreen.org