MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today that its Rensselaer Information Systems Center (RISC) has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR certification, making it among fourteen data centers in the country with a 2012 designation and the first data center located in New York to be certified. The Energy Star certification signifies that the building is not only energy efficient but also meets strict performance levels set by the EPA.

“MetLife is proud to receive the Energy Star certification for the data center. We are committed to integrating sustainability throughout all our global operations,” said Marty Lippert, executive vice president, global technology and operations at MetLife.

As part of the Energy Star certification, MetLife’s Global Technology & Operations and its Corporate Real Estate team worked closely with business partner, Cushman & Wakefield to perform several upgrades to enhance the facility. Among the projects were: installing boiler system controls to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions; upgrading lighting control panels to save energy; installing LED lighting in the parking lot, using waterless technology; and implementing virtualization technology, which allows the facility to share resources and save costs in energy, hardware, software licensing and IT infrastructure maintenance.

“MetLife manages its environmental impact by implementing programs that address climate change, lower energy consumption and improve environmental performance throughout its global operations,” added Lippert. “This includes achieving carbon neutrality at the Rensselaer Information Systems Center, which was the result of offsets, energy efficient building designs, hardware systems enhancements and virtualization.”

To date, all 15 of MetLife’s U.S. owned and occupied administrative offices are Energy Star certified and nine are LEED certified, including two global facilities, located in India and Turkey.

MetLife is making a positive impact on the environment through effective energy management policies, investments in renewable energy ventures and integrating energy efficient practices into its operations, including purchasing environmentally preferred products and energy-efficient technology equipment. In addition to its Energy Star and LEED certifications, MetLife has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 90 percent since 2005, invested more than $2.5 billion in renewable energy projects and has purchased more than 53 percent of its overall electricity through the use of renewable energy.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.