Ashforth Pacific, Inc. is participating in an energy labeling pilot program conducted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The pilot program, titled Building EQ, will measure and rate the energy efficiency of Ashforth's Liberty Centre office tower, located in Portland, Oregon's Lloyd District.

Although other ratings programs exist, including Energy Star (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), LEED (U.S. Green Building Council), and Green Globes, Ashforth's participation in ASHRAE's pilot program will allow the company to understand the differences and benefits of each program. Ashforth currently owns eight Energy Star rated properties, two which are LEED certified, and one which is in the process of Green Globes certification.

"As a company, we want to manage our assets as sustainably as we can in a way that still makes the most business sense," said Wade Lange, vice president of property management of Ashforth Pacific. "Evaluating our properties through all available ratings systems allows us to decide which will best help us achieve our energy efficiency objectives."