WASHINGTON - As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to creating clean energy jobs and lowering energy bills for U.S. businesses, the Department announced that Johnson Controls, Macy's and Sprint are joining the Better Buildings Challenge.

Launched by President Obama in 2011, the Better Buildings Challenge brings together corporations, universities, municipalities and other national leaders to make significant commitments to energy efficiency, reduce waste and save on energy costs. Johnson Controls, Macy's and Sprint will upgrade more than 200 million square feet of building space to cut energy use by at least 20 percent by 2020. These steps support the President's goal of cutting energy waste from homes and businesses in half over the next two decades, announced in the State of the Union address last week.

'Investments in energy efficiency that save millions in energy costs are making the American economy more competitive, protecting our air and water and creating jobs,' said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. 'We applaud these new partners for leading by example and showing the savings that energy efficiency makes possible while positioning America as a global leader in the clean energy race.'

Each year, the U.S. spends about $200 billion just to power commercial buildings - and another $200 billion to power industrial facilities. President Obama launched the Better Buildings Challenge to help America's commercial and industrial buildings become at least 20 percent more efficient over the next decade.

As Better Buildings Challenge partners, Johnson Controls, Macy's and Sprint will work with the Energy Department to implement energy savings practices that reduce energy waste and save money. These new partners will also share facility-level energy use data and successful strategies with Better Buildings Challenge partners and other U.S. businesses and organizations - helping to lead a clean, sustainable energy economy.

About the new Better Buildings Challenge partners announced today:

Macy's

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Macy's has pledged to reduce energy use in 179 million square feet of its commercial real estate. Macy's has engaged in aggressive energy reduction measures through the development and use of its Energy Information System to monitor, analyze, and target key energy opportunities.

Coupled with this tool, Macy's energy staff are working with the company's field personnel to identify opportunities for reducing energy and eliminating waste. Macy's is also a leader in LED technology for accent lighting-replacing over one million lamps over the last three years and reducing the energy used for this lighting by more than 70 percent.

'Macy's is pleased to enter into a partnership with the Better Buildings Challenge, helping lead the nation to greater energy efficiency, economic growth and a cleaner environment,' said Bill Lyon, Macy's Vice President of Energy Management. 'Our commitment will lead to an energy savings of 20 percent by 2020. We are looking forward to sharing our progress in creating greater efficiency and savings.'