The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with a 2014 Energy Star Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. NYSERDA was honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency, having helped hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers save energy over the last decade through its New York Energy Star Certified Homes (New Construction), Home Performance with Energy Star and New York Products (Qualifying Products) programs. In 2013, the combined energy savings from NYSERDA's New Construction, Home Performance with Energy Star, and Qualifying Products programs saved New York more than 112.493 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 3.1 million metric British thermal units (MMBtu) of fossil fuels, enough power to meet the annual electric needs of nearly 17,000 homes. "NYSERDA has earned EPA's highest Energy Star award - the 2014 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award - because of its unwavering commitment to helping consumers become increasingly more energy efficient," said EPA deputy administrator Bob Perciasepe. "It is an honor for NYSERDA to be recognized with the EPA's highest Energy Star award once again," said John Rhodes, president and CEO, NYSERDA. "Under Governor Cuomo, New York State remains a leader in energy efficiency, with programs that help increasing numbers of residents choose to use less energy, reduce their carbon footprint and help the clean-energy economy grow." Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through their participation in ENERGY STAR. Through 2013, with help from ENERGY STAR, American families and businesses have saved $297 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The 2014 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy efficiency. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, and employing innovative energy efficiency approaches. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes, and buildings in the commercial, industrial, and public sectors. Award winners are selected from the 16,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.