Stamford Takes Energy Efficiency Award

Stamford has been named Municipal Leader for Energy Efficiency by the nonprofit Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships.

The award cites Stamford's Local Action Plan, which documents actions taken since 1998, the plan's first year. In the plan, the city laid out a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent.

Building improvements from 1999 to 2002, such as better lighting and efficient air-conditioning and hot-water pumps, produced annual energy savings of $306,920. Public school buildings also were improved, including a new environmental magnet school that has been designed to meet "green" standards.