By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager
2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony
Our energy efficiency programs are turning heads, gaining recognition and, most importantly, keeping our customers happy …
More than 900 people gathered at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. April 20 to celebrate businesses and organizations that are helping protect the
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honors a select group of efficiency leaders each year at its annual ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards Ceremony.
“We were so excited to win as an individual entity,” says Michelle Eburn, Residential Energy Efficiency senior marketing analyst, who accepted the award on the company’s behalf. “We’re proud of the way our programs continue to meet our company’s and customers’ goals, and how they continue to evolve.”
Michelle explains: “We’ve been focusing more and more on the ‘emotional connection’ we can make with homeowners. We explain to them how they can make their homes better and more comfortable, in addition to saving money on their energy bills.”
Spreading the word and selling the benefits
The EPA recognized National Grid for our work to educate customers about the importance of energy efficiency. Our efforts increase awareness and adoption of ENERGY STAR products. They include:
- Selling nearly 33,000 ENERGY STAR certified light emitting diode (LED) bulbs and almost 10,000 ENERGY STAR certified compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in Rhode Island last year, thanks to limited-time social shopping initiatives.
- Promoting smart grid, energy efficiency programs, ENERGY STAR, and the Sustainability Hub’s first anniversary at the ENERGY STAR Change the World Tour event we hosted at our Sustainability Hub in Worcester, MA last October.
- Promoting high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, central air conditioning systems, water heaters and more in our ‘Part of Your Family’ campaign for Heating and Cooling (with many eligible equipment models ENERGY STAR certified).
- Featuring radio spots that build ENERGY STAR awareness, as well as comprehensive multimedia marketing campaigns including newspaper, online banner, and Facebook ads; Facebook posts; and email blasts.
“National Grid’s efforts to promote ENERGY STAR products are helping consumers make smarter buying decisions,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “National Grid is helping Americans save money, save energy and do their part to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change.”
Marketing and Customer Experience Vice President Lori Acker put it simply in congratulating her team: “It’s so exciting to see external recognition for your fantastic efforts. ENERGY STAR has great awareness, and our affiliation with them helps build strong credibility to our energy efficiency efforts and brand. Well done!”
In addition to Michelle, special kudos to Marketing’s Sara Merena, Kate Ringe-Welch and Victoria Viviani for helping make it all happen!
Source: http://ournationalgrid.com/us/we-won-the-epas-energy-star-award-for-excellence/
PE | Associate, LeMessurier
Vice President, AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group
Interior Designer, Jacobs, Boston
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation and Development U.S. Green Building Council
AIA LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Gensler Boston 
LEED Fellow, WELL AP | Founder and Principal, Ecoworks Studio
LEED AP BD+C | Environmental Sustainability Manager, Armstrong World Industries
Sustainability Director, Steven Winter Associates
Assistant Professor of Exposure Science | Director of the Healthy Buildings program
Managing Director, Harvard University Office for Sustainability
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting, Epsten Group, Inc.
Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Jamestown
Founder and Principal, Linnean Solutions | LEED AP, O+M; EcoDistrict AP
Associate Principal, BuroHappold Engineering
Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation
Co-Founder, Facilitator at The Laurentia Project | LEED AP BD+C, LFA
Founder and President, Board of the Healthy Building Network
Building Technology Director, Kingspan North America
LEED® AP ID+C, BD+C, USGBC Faculty, WELL® AP, WELL Faculty and Fitwel Ambassador
Workplace Strategy Expert and Researcher, EYP
Principal, Integrated Ecostrategy
Senior Vice President, International WELL Building Institute
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
Principal, Bruner/Cott
Architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader, Stantec Architecture and Engineering
FAIA, LEED Fellow, Long Green Specs
Products & Materials Specialist, BuildingGreen
Director of Acquisitions and Development
Director of Restorative Enterprise, Interface
Vice President of Sustainable Development, Shaw
Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction Company
Global Head of Sustainability, Superior Essex