PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the University of Pennsylvania's Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services for participation in its Energy Star program's Million Monitor Drive. This national campaign is designed to activate monitor-power management on 1 million computers across the nation.  

Melissa Payne, EPA program manager, presented one award to network administrator Parmenus Bowler for his efforts.  In one month, Bowler installed EZ Save, a free EPA network software tool, across every computer in Facilities and Real Estate Services.  EZ Save automatically puts idle monitors into a low-power, money-saving sleep mode when not in use.  

Another award went to the division itself.  Barry Hilts, associate vice president of facilities operations, accepted on behalf of the division. 

"Penn's Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services has taken the lead on educating other departments at Penn about this quick and simple way to save energy, money and the environment," Payne said.

By saving electricity, sleeping computer monitors also prevent air pollution associated with energy generation from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas.  Activating sleep settings on the division network of 100 computers prevents approximately 30,000 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions each year.  

Energy Star is the EPA's voluntary market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency.