Lower wattage lighting and white ceilings. Re-using waste motor oil for heating. These are a few of the ways Claremont's Lambert Auto Sales reduced its carbon footprint this year, and along the way, became one of only 13 companies in America to win the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2008 ENERGY STAR Small Business and Congregations Award. Winners are recognized across the country for doing their part to save energy and fight climate change through effective energy management practices and innovative efficiency solutions.
We have taken great strides to reduce our waste in order to operate more energy efficiently, which has greatly reduced our impact on the local environment, said John Lambert, president of Lambert Auto Sales. We appreciate the EPA's recognition of our efforts to operate our dealership in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Lambert Auto Sales, together with the other award-winning organizations, reduced annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 860 tons, equivalent to the CO2 emissions from the average electricity use of more than 100 homes for one year. To achieve the energy savings, the company upgraded showroom and parts and service area lighting from T12 to T8 energy-efficient lamps, and they painted shop ceilings white to provide additional illumination and compensate for the lower wattage lamps. These modifications saved more than 8,800 kWh of electricity. In addition, nearly all the 7,500 square-foot main building is now partially heated with waste oil.
As a member of the Claremont business community and as a neighbor, we felt it was our responsibility to lessen both the dealership's carbon footprint, as well as our customers, through capital improvements and new programs," Lambert said.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency specifications set by the government.
Current Issue - May 2024