The new standards are designed to protect the environment and result in significant energy savings, according to the agency. On average, computer servers that earn the Energy Star label will be 30 percent more energy efficient than standard servers.

If all servers sold in the United States meet this new specification, energy cost savings would grow to $800 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from more 1 million vehicles, according to the EPA.

Computer servers that earn the Energy Star label will include: efficient power supplies; improved power quality, capabilities to measure real time power use, processor utilization, and air temperature; advanced power management features to save energy, and a power and performance data sheet for purchasers that standardizes key information on energy performance, features and other capabilities.

More information on the new specification and all EPA’s data center initiatives is available at www.energystar.gov/datacenters.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com