Feds Honor PG&E'S Energy Efficiency Efforts

Business Wire, March 20, 2001

Business/News Editors and Energy Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2001

Two federal agencies said today that Pacific Gas and Electric Company was a star in the promotion of energy efficiency and awarded the utility the 2001 ENERGY STAR Award for its efforts.

The award is presented annually by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency for outstanding achievement in promotion of energy efficiency.

"The ENERGY STAR Award is a welcome validation of a rigorous, 25-year effort to help our customers reduce their energy usage and save money," said Beverly Alexander, Pacific Gas and Electric Company's vice president overseeing energy efficiency programs.

Alexander said that despite the high-pitched pace at which the company operated its energy efficiency programs in the past, it is now facing its greatest challenge.

"This award from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy is especially timely as Californians struggle to overcome an unprecedented energy crisis. Pacific Gas and Electric Company is redoubling its efforts this year to squeeze out every last kilowatt of unnecessary energy use. The conservation efforts of our customers will be critical in reducing the frequency and severity of blackouts in the coming months," Alexander said.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is receiving the ENERGY STAR "Excellence in Consumer Education Award" for its outstanding efforts to promote the ENERGY STAR label as a symbol of energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR is a market-based, voluntary partnership sponsored by the EPA and the DOE. The EPA estimates that ENERGY STAR now provides businesses and consumers net savings of more than $4 billion a year.

Products that carry the ENERGY STAR label must meet or exceed stringent federal energy efficiency standards.

The utility has produced radio, television and newspaper advertisements that educate consumers on the importance of looking for the label. Promotion of ENERGY STAR products is an important element in the utility's three-step guide to conserving energy. These provide for (1) no-cost solutions; (2) low-cost home improvement solutions (including switching to ENERGY STAR thermostats and torchieres), and (3) investment-oriented solutions (including purchasing ENERGY STAR appliances).

The 2001 ENERGY STAR awards also recognize the leadership of U.S. organizations to promote pollution prevention through energy efficiency, both in their own buildings and in the products they manufacture.

For more energy saving tips, please visit our Energy Crisis website at www.pge.com/energycrisis or contact the Smarter Energy Line at 800/933-9555.