The The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Housing and Development (HUD) Wednesday presented Topeka City Manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr. an ENERGY STAR award.

The award is for the city's efforts to build high quality, Energy Star, HUD-assisted homes (duplexes) for low to moderate income families.

The homes are an innovative whole-house approach to improving the comfort and energy efficiency of new homes while maintaining attractiveness and affordability.

Sites the groups toured after the presentation at Cornerstone-owned Energy Star-rated housing units, 517 SW Western Ave., across the street from the Breakthrough House-owned Energy Star-rated housing units.