The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of a Spanish-language version of its ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager on September 19, 2024. This online energy measurement and tracking tool is now accessible to Spanish-speaking building owners, managers, and tenants, enabling them to manage their property’s energy use, water use, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions in their native language.
“ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the industry-standard tool — already used to measure more than 22% of all commercial floor space in the United States,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Increasing accessibility to the tool for Spanish-speaking facility owners, managers, and occupants will provide their businesses with the data and insights to drive energy efficiency improvements, cost savings, and meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
The initiative supports Executive Order 13166 which encourages federal agencies to provide meaningful access to information for persons with limited English proficiency. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 13% of the U.S. population spoke Spanish at home in 2019, with 5% saying they speak English less than “very well.” Offering Portfolio Manager in Spanish increases access for facility owners and managers in Puerto Rico, disadvantaged communities, as well as cities and states that require use of Portfolio Manager to measure, track, and report energy use.
Previously available only in English and French, the interactive tool includes features such as:
- A 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score: This number evaluates a building's energy efficiency relative to similar buildings across the country.
- ENERGY STAR certification: Buildings that earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher can apply for certification.
- GHG emissions tracking: Calculate a building's greenhouse gas emissions from energy use.
- Water and waste tracking: Measure and track a building’s water use and waste.
The EPA will also provide live training sessions, printed training materials, and user support in Spanish.
Energy use in commercial and residential buildings accounts for one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. An EPA report estimates that under the Inflation Reduction Act these buildings could cut CO2 emissions by up to 63% by 2030 through energy efficiency measures.
Since its inception in 1992, ENERGY STAR has helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve over four billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
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