At the American Institute of Architects Convention (AIA) in Boston, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled the newest group of architecture projects to achieve Designed to Earn the Energy Star, the government's mark of superior energy efficiency in building design. Forty-six new building designs from 19 states earned the distinction in 2008, more than a 40% increase from 2007. Five of these projects will take place in New England, four of which are future city of New Haven Schools. The Designed to Earn the Energy Star designation recognizes commercial building projects that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment through energy-efficient design. Nationally, this year's 46 new projects are estimated to save 120 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and $5 million in energy costs annually across 8 million s/f. The city of New Haven's high performance building program has been lauded as a landmark model for its unique project approach and broad success in achieving goals in energy conservation. Engaged in a fifteen-year construction program that began in 1996 that will ultimately result in 46 renovated or new schools valued at $1.5 billion, the mayor's Energy Task Force for the city of New Haven, together with program manager Gilbane Building Company and the school construction program, advanced a significant High Performance Schools Initiative. The approach has successfully reduced operating cost and set an example for social consciousness by integrating the USEPA Energy Star requirements into the standard project specification. The achievement of the Designed to Earn the Energy Star designation is one of the initiatives of the program. "The New Haven School Construction Program is proud of the work of the architects and engineers in the program. Achieving Design for Energy Star demonstrates the dedication these firms have to making the energy efficiency goals of the Mayor reality. Based on the success of these four schools, the program will continue to encourage all our school designs to meet the criteria for Designed for Energy Star," said Tom Roger, vice president / project director, Gilbane Building Co. The schools to achieve the designation include Sheridan Communication & Technology Academy, designed by Boroson Falconer LLC, Bishop Woods School designed by JCJ Architecture, Christopher Columbus School designed by Svigals & Partners, and Metropolitan Business Academy, designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative. According to the EPA, energy use in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants accounts for nearly half of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption nationwide. "We are proud of the success of the New Haven Schools High Performance Building initiative, and the integral part our program management team has played in its development and implementation," said William Gilbane Jr., president & COO, Gilbane Building. "In fact, New Haven's outstandingly successful methods are being integrated into our projects across the country through our sustainability and high performance building center of excellence. Gilbane is committed to doing our part to minimize the impact of our industry on the environment." For more information visit www.energystar.gov/ Gilbane is a full-service construction and real estate development company comprised of Gilbane Building Co. and Gilbane Development Co. Gilbane's New England region consists of offices located in Boston; Glastonbury, Conn.; and Manchester, N.H.; with regional headquarters in Providence.