BOSTON, Mass. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the Lighting and Products Sponsors of Mass Save, including Cape Light Compact, Eversource Energy, National Grid, and Unitil, with a 2016 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Energy Efficiency Program Delivery Award for its outstanding efforts to increase the adoption of energy-efficient products. Mass Save’s accomplishments will be recognized in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2016. 

The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award, one of EPA’s highest honors, highlights outstanding commitments to the creation and promotion of environmentally responsible energy efficiency initiatives. The Program Delivery category specifically recognizes states, utilities, and organizations that create and support innovative energy efficiency programs that provide benefits to their communities and customers. 

"As a leader in ENERGY STAR program implementation, Mass Save is helping transform the energy efficiency market,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Using ENERGY STAR resources, the sponsors of Mass Save are expanding access to energy-saving practices to grow the economy and protect the environment." 

Mass Save provides education, accessibility, and support essential for residents and businesses to manage energy costs, save money, and protect the environment. Through its use of innovative marketing, online promotions, social media, and provision of accessible rebates and incentives on ENERGY STAR certified lighting and consumer products, Mass Save helped the Commonwealth achieve energy savings of nearly 156,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWhs) in 2015. 

"We are honored to be recognized by the EPA for the second year in a row with the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for our commitment to making Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency across the nation," stated Maggie Downey of Cape Light Compact. "The award is a testament to the success of our partnerships that provide a wide range of services, incentives, trainings, and information on energy usage and related costs." 

Mass Save has created strong partnerships with national and local retailers that sell residential lighting and consumer products. These partnerships, as well as the Sponsors’ advertising and outreach campaigns, helped to generate over 4.8 million sales of ENERGY STAR products in 2015. That means each household in Massachusetts could have purchased two ENERGY STAR certified products in 2015. 

"We'll continue to support and engage our customers to help them become more energy efficient," said Penni Conner, Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President of Customer Care for Eversource Energy. "With Massachusetts leading the nation in energy efficiency, the continued strength of these programs and ENERGY STAR products is crucial as we reach out to the next generation of consumers." 

Mass Save has a history of receiving recognition for its innovative approaches to energy efficiency education and outreach – most notably for maintaining the title of Most Energy Efficient State in the nation, as designated by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for the fifth consecutive year. Mass Save was also a recipient of EPA’s Partner of the Year Award in 2015. 

About Mass Save:

Mass Save is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts’ natural gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers. The Sponsors of Mass Save work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to provide a wide range of services, incentives, trainings, and information promoting energy efficiency that help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs. For more information, please visit www.masssave.com.