Piedmont Achieves Energy Star Certification for Prominent Chicago Office Buildings

Energy Star Certification Achieved for Over 44% of Office Portfolio
ATLANTA & CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Piedmont Office Realty Trust announced that it has achieved the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency`s prestigious ENERGY STAR rating for two office
properties in Chicago, bringing its total office portfolio to 44% Energy Star
Certified. Aon Center, home to well known tenants such as Aon Corporation,
Microsoft, DDB Needham and forthcoming KPMG, was certified along with 35 West
Wacker, home to the Leo Burnett Corporation and Winston & Strawn law firm.

"ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and
environmental stewardship and recognizes buildings which use approximately 35%
less energy than average buildings," said Jason Williams, Director of
Construction for Piedmont.

Piedmont, a Class-A office ownerbased in Atlanta, is a member of the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC), and has obtained ratings for nineteen of its office
holdings, including US Bancorp headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, Nestlé
headquarters in Glendale, CA and Las Colinas Corporate Center in Irving, TX.

"Piedmont recognizes the importance of continuous focus on energy performance
throughout our national portfolio," said Bo Reddic, Executive Vice President of
Real Estate Operations for Piedmont. "We are committed to this effort and
realize that any improvements made in energy consumption and sustainability have
positive impacts on the environment, tenant retention, and potentially a long
term financial return."

Additionally, Piedmont, in cooperation with several of its tenants, has made
strides towards environmental sustainability in the area of LEED EBOM (Existing
Buildings: Operations & Maintenance) certification. Among the various tenants
who have notably achieved LEED certification, Caterpillar Financial was awarded
LEED-EB GOLD from the USGBC in April for its investment and accomplishments in
their leased space at 2120 West End Avenue in Nashville, TN.

About Piedmont: Piedmont Office Realty Trust is a public, non-traded REIT
specializing in Class-A office properties. As of June 30, 2009, Piedmont owned
84 buildings, including 8 joint venture interests. The wholly-owned portfolio
totals approximately 21 million square feet, in 22 states and Washington, D.C.
Across the portfolio, Piedmont properties are approximately 90 percent leased.
www.piedmontreit.com.

Piedmont Office Realty Trust
Kerry Hughes, 770-418-8678
Kerry.Hughes@Piedmontreit.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009