Midwest utilities have joined together forming the Heartland Utilities for Energy Efficiency. HUEE is one of the only local utilities collaborative in the nation working together on residential energy-efficiency issues. Organized in 2002, this organization is a vehicle for participating electric and gas utilities to advance a mission for the public good: “Promote energy efficiency in the Greater Kansas City marketplace through energy education, resources and actions to help assure a secure energy future for area residents.” Consult the Web pages of our Energy Partners for additional valuable energy-saving information.
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. In 1992 the EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Computers and monitors were the first labeled products. Throughout 1995, EPA expanded the label to additional office equipment products and residential heating and cooling equipment. In 1996, EPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy for specific product categories. The ENERGY STAR label is now on major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics and more. EPA has also extended the label to cover new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.