WHEREAS, to earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, these homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes; and

WHEREAS, ENERGY STAR homes can include a variety of ‘tried-and-true” energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution; and

WHEREAS, homes labeled as Energy Star also receive an independent third party verification to ensure that the Energy Star standards have been met; and

WHEREAS, compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings; over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills; and

WHEREAS, more than 5,000 home builders,  have partnered with the EPA to construct more than 840,000 ENERGY STAR Homes Nationwide, and the State of Nevada recognizes these efforts knowing that these homes will have an increasing valued feature; and

WHEREAS, Nevada leads the nation with more than 76,000-plus ENERGY STAR homes;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim August, 2008, as
 

ENERGY STAR MONTH