Warwick Township's administrative office building has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's coveted Energy Star label.
The national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection was awarded to the township office building at 315 Clay Road, near Lititz, because it uses an average of 50 percent less energy than typical commercial buildings and releases at least 35 percent less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
The building, built in 1989, is now one of three in Lancaster County to have earned an Energy Star label since the program was extended to buildings in 1999.
Four Seasons Produce in Ephrata became the first warehouse in the nation to get the label in 2008. Armstrong World Industries' corporate headquarters at 2500 Columbia Ave. earned the award in 2006 and 2008.
To cut down on energy costs, Warwick Township installed occupancy sensors in key rooms, made use of natural light wherever possible, bought energy-saving laptops instead of large desktop computers, made key alterations to the heating system and made sure parking lot lights were illuminated only when necessary.