Cox Media Group Meets Atlanta's Better Buildings Challenge Six Years Ahead of Schedule

Cox Media Group's Atlanta TV and radio facility completes significant energy, water consumption improvements

ATLANTA, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Media Group (CMG) announced that the facility housing its Atlanta TV and radio stations (Channel 2 WSB-TV, News/Talk Radio WSB, B98.5, 97.1 The River and KISS 104.1) has met Atlanta's Better Buildings Challenge nearly six years ahead of the 2020 goal. The facility reduced its energy and water consumption by more than 20 percent and is annually saving nearly 650,000 gallons of water and 1,400,000 kWh of electricity through its conservation projects.

"Cox Media Group is committed to educating the public on important sustainability issues and making sure that our operations are eco-friendly," said Dave Siegler, CMG's VP of Technical Operations and member of the Cox Environment Council. "When Cox signs up to do something, we tackle the challenge head on, and this is a great example of how we go above and beyond. We know that it's important to make sure our operations are as efficient and sustainable as possible. As a part of Cox Enterprises, we participate in Cox Conserves. This is the company's sustainability program that has repeatedly shown that these projects are good for the environment and for our bottom line."

Cox incorporated a number of energy-saving projects throughout the interior and exterior of the building. The team replaced 125 metal-halide fixtures in the parking garage and courtyard with LED lighting, which enhanced safety with more illumination, reduced carbon output and lowered operating costs. The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment was also updated to reduce operating hours by more than 50 percent. Equipment updates also included: air handling systems, chillers, data center units, exhaust fans and terminal units, among others.

More than 65 pieces of water equipment were replaced with low-flow fixtures.

"We are pleased to learn that a national leader and local champion for sustainability, Cox Enterprises, has met the energy and water goal for the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge nearly six years ahead of schedule. We commend the leadership, staff and building operators that carry out the mission of the Cox Conserves program for your efforts in helping Atlanta along its journey to becoming a top-tier city for sustainability," said Aaron Bastian, spokesperson for the Mayor's Office of Sustainability.

In addition to reporting on sustainability issues impacting the community and operating efficiently, Channel 2 WSB-TV also recognizes local environmental volunteers through the Cox Conserves Heroes program.

Created in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, Atlanta's Cox Conserves Heroes program has honored 24 environmental volunteers who are creating or enhancing outdoor spaces and has donated $70,000 to local nonprofits on behalf of the volunteers.

About the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge (Atlanta BBC)
The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge is a nation-leading public/private initiative. Led locally by the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability and managed by Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, the goal of the Atlanta BBC is to reduce energy and water consumption by at least 20 percent in participating buildings across Atlanta by 2020. For more information, please visit www.atlantabbc.com.

About Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps. Additionally, CMG owns Cox Target Media, which operates Valpak, one of North America's leading direct marketing companies, and Savings.com, a leading online source for savings.  The company's operations currently include 14 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 57 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services.  CMG currently operates in more than 20 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 30 million TV viewers, more than 3.5 million print and online newspaper readers, and more than 14 million radio listeners.  For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.

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SOURCE Cox Media Group

For further information: Aaron Bastian, City of Atlanta, Office of Sustainability, 404-588-5927, abastian@atlantaga.gov, or Elizabeth Olmstead, Cox, 678-645-0762, Elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com