News Release

THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT RECEIVES ENERGY STAR EXCELLENCE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AWARD FROM HUD AND EPA

KANSAS CITY, KS - The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS received today an Energy Star Excellence in Affordable Housing Award from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). HUD's Regional Director Macie Houston and EPA's Regional Administrator John Askew jointly presented the award to Mayor Joe Reardon during the morning session of the 2008 Build Green Conference at the Jack Reardon Convention Center.

Fourteen Energy Star awards were presented in the nation this year. Two of the fourteen awards were national and were presented at the National Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Unified Government received one of twelve regional awards for incorporating Energy Star technology into its federally funded affordable housing program.

EPA Regional Administrator John Askew said, "We at EPA are pleased to join with HUD in recognizing the accomplishments of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas."

The UG has been working in partnership with HUD and EPA to develop a pilot program to construct single-family homes that qualify for the Energy Star label. In October 2006, the UG's first Energy Star qualified home at 630 New Jersey was completed. The home features controlled air flow, high performing windows and doors, a high efficiency HVAC system with heat pump and programmable thermostat, and R-19 to R-30 insulation rating throughout the house, as well as Energy Star qualified products such as light fixtures and appliances. Today, there are 16 homes in the UG's affordable housing program all promoting the whole-house approach to improving the comfort and energy efficiency of new and rehabilitated homes while maintaining attractiveness and affordability.

HUD Regional Director Macie Houston said, "The Unified Government's Home Energy Efficiency Program is proof that housing affordability and energy efficiency can go hand in hand. I congratulate Mayor Reardon and the Unified Government for pioneering an Energy Star housing program that is a model not only for the four-state region, but also the nation."

For more information, visit Energy Star's website or call toll-free (888) 782-7937.

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