Thursday, March 13, 2008

EPA Names CB Richard Ellis 2008 Energy Star Partner of the Year

CB Richard Ellis Earns Award for Protecting the Environment through Energy Efficiency

TAMPA, FL--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. as a 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

CBRE's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2008.

Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are continuing to promote strategic energy management through participation in ENERGY STAR.

CB Richard Ellis will be honored for smart energy management practices and investments throughout its operations that resulted in significant energy and financial savings in their managed portfolio. CBRE is the only commercial real estate services firm so recognized this year with a Partner of the Year award.

In Florida, CBRE provides management services for six ENERGY STAR labeled properties. They are Cypress Park West Phase I, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Cypress Park West Phase II, Fort Lauderdale, FL; New River Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Sawgrass Lake Center, Fort Lauderdale, Sand Lake IV, Orlando, FL; and SunTrust Center, Orlando.

"We are proud to help owners and tenants to both reduce energy costs and lower their overall environmental impact," says Randy Buddemeyer, (photo top right) CBRE's Managing Director for Asset Services over the state. "We have many programs in place to further assist our clients in achieving their sustainability goals."

In May 2007, CBRE announced a commitment to become carbon neutral in its own operations by 2010-making it the first commercial real estate services company to announce such a goal. In addition, CBRE is assisting its clients with energy efficiency programs at the 1.7 billion sq. ft. of building space it manages around the world.

"Receiving one of the EPA's highest honors within less than a year of our carbon neutrality pledge underscores the extraordinary efforts CBRE's employees and clients have taken to ensure our managed properties are operating at the highest possible levels of environmental and energy efficiency," said David Pogue, (photo top left) Senior Managing Director of CBRE's Asset Services Group and head of the company's green initiative for its 635 million-sq.-ft. U.S. property management portfolio.

"As both a socially responsible organization and the world's largest commercial real estate services firm, we have made a commitment to being a leader in changing the way buildings operate, recognizing that now is the time to act to decrease energy consumption and increase environmental sustainability."

"CBRE's leadership in managing their energy use is a model for other businesses looking for ways to protect the environment," said Robert J. Meyers, (photo at right below) principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air & Radiation.


"Because commercial and industrial facilities account for half of all energy consumption in the U.S. and are responsible for nearly half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, energy management is a critical element in our efforts on climate change."

About CB Richard Ellis

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), an S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world's largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2007 revenue). With over 29,000 employees, the Company serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices worldwide (excluding affiliate offices).

CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting.

In 2007, CB Richard Ellis was named one of the 50 "best in class" companies by BusinessWeek, and one of the 100 fastest growing companies by Fortune. Please visit our Web site at http://cbremarketing.com/ve/ZZh00S7331j8192x81h/stype=click/OID=108311125416760/VT=0.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations.

More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit http://cbremarketing.com/ve/ZZh00S7331j8192x81h/stype=click/OID=308311125416391/VT=0 or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Contacts:
Lauren Crawford
813.273.8482
lauren.crawford@cbre.com

Randy Buddemeyer
813.273.8412
randy.buddemeyer@cbre.com

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