Pardee Homes has been singled out for "showing tremendous vision by building homes that are better for the environment," according to Wayne Nastri, regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pacific Southwest Office.

In Las Vegas to announce a new clean air initiative, the EPA chose to hold the event at a Pardee Homes construction site at the Nevada Trails master-planned community in the rapidly developing southwest area of the valley.

The Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule will cut emission levels from construction, agriculture and industrial diesel-powered equipment by more than 90 percent. The new rule will also remove 99 percent of the sulfur in diesel fuel by 2010, resulting in dramatic reductions in soot from all diesel engines, Nastri said.

"When the full inventory of older non-road engines has been replaced, the new program will annually prevent up to 12,000 premature deaths, one million lost work days, 15,000 heart attacks and 6,000 children's asthma-related emergency room visits," he said.

According to Celeste Ochal, regional director of the American Lung Association, the results will include 100 fewer premature deaths a year in Nevada, where seniors and children are the most susceptible to emissions.

"Pardee is also committed to a cleaner and healthier environment," said Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing. "We build only ENERGYSTAR® homes. In 2003, some 10 million pounds of greenhouse gases were prevented from entering the atmosphere due to 2,300 Pardee-built homes."

A typical ENERGYSTAR® home keeps 4,500 pounds of greenhouse gases out of the air each year. According to the EPA, Americans aided by ENERGYSTAR® saved enough energy in 2003 alone to power 15 million homes and reduce air pollution equivalent to that of 15 million cars—all while saving consumers $7 billion.

"As the nation's first multi-regional builder to embrace the EPA's ENERGYSTAR® concept, Pardee Homes has been building homes that exceed national ENERGYSTAR® standards by 30 percent since 1998," Nastri said. "Pardee has taken additional measure to increase energy efficiency by up to 15 percent over ENERGYSTAR® criteria. These efforts have helped Pardee earn the distinction of ENERGYSTAR® Partner of the Year in 2003 and 2004."

Nastri congratulated Pardee for "pursuing solutions that promote residents' awareness of the natural treasures surrounding them." He cited Pardee's Earth Day event when Pardee gave away 1,000 energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs that use 66 percent less energy than standard lightbulbs.

"Pardee also makes environmentally conscious housing options accessible and desirable in mainstream housing," Nastri said. "We applaud Pardee for taking these voluntary steps to build energy-efficient homes."

Last year Pardee introduced the company's innovative LIVINGSMART® program to the Southern Nevada market, offering sustainable features and options that include solar energy systems, ENERGYSTAR® appliances, fluorescent lighting and water-efficient landscaping.

"A Zero Energy Home Program is our next step," Mason said. "With the use of integrated solar roof tiles, the program's first-level target is a 50 percent reduction in energy costs."

Pardee has been a pioneer in Southern Nevada, building homes and communities for nearly 30,000 families since 1952.