ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- April 7, 2011 – The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) today joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in honoring Sunrise Senior Living and Horizon Bay Retirement Communities for their communities that earned the ENERGY STAR for superior energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Sunrise and Horizon Bay were presented the awards for thirty-two senior care communities at the ALFA 2011 Conference & Expo

“Sunrise Senior Living and Horizon Bay Retirement Communities are the first providers of senior living in the nation to have communities earn the prestigious ENERGY STAR from the EPA,” said Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America. “ALFA applauds Sunrise, Horizon Bay and other senior living companies who plan to earn their environmental credentials by participating in ENERGY STAR program. Thank you to EPA for taking an interest in seniors housing and managing a program that will help senior living advance business excellence and environmentally friendly programs.”

ALFA led an effort to encourage EPA to expand the ENERGY STAR energy performance scale to senior care in 2009. Late last year, the EPA announced the new category and shared information on how providers could participate. ALFA has been actively encouraging members companies to participate in the program. Senior living companies interested in learning more about the ENERGYSTAR program for seniors housing may visit www.alfa.org/greenbusiness and www.energystar.gov/seniorcare.

For more than a decade, EPA has partnered with businesses and organizations to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strategic energy management practices. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building or manufacturing plant must earn a 75 or higher on EPA's 1-100 energy performance scale, indicating that the building performs in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide. The ENERGY STAR energy performance scale accounts for differences in operating conditions, regional weather data, and other important considerations.

About The Assisted Living Federation of America
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve. Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurialism in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s Web site at www.alfa.org.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, new homes, and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned ENERGY STAR certification prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved nearly $17 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles.
Visit EPA’s Web site at www.energystar.gov/buildings

Contact:
Jamison J. Gosselin
SVP, Marketing & Communications
Assisted Living Federation of America
(703) 888-9646
jgosselin@alfa.org

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