EPA Names Schools for Energy Efficiency™ 2007 ENERGY STAR ® Partner of the Year

Business Wire, March 9, 2007

The Schools for Energy Efficiency[TM] Program earns award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE) Program from Hallberg Engineering, Inc. as a 2007 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Service and Product Provider for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through their work with school districts. SEE's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2007.

Schools for Energy Efficiency, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2003 will be honored for providing smart energy management solutions to schools, which have resulted in significant energy and financial savings. SEE developed a comprehensive plan for schools to save energy by changing behavior throughout the district. SEE provides a systemized plan, training, and utility tracking for immediate and sustainable energy saving results in schools. Across the U.S., top companies and organizations like SEE are continuing to promote strategic energy management through participation in ENERGY STAR.

"Managing energy use and cost is critical for school districts," said Joe Hallberg, President, Hallberg Engineering, Inc. "Now more than ever improving energy efficiency is a great way for them to reduce expenses and demonstrate a responsibility to their communities. Through our partnership with ENERGY STAR we see the ongoing fiscal and environmental benefits of superior energy management."

Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $14 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 25 million vehicles.

The 2007 Partner of the Year Awards recognize efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate superior energy management into overall organizational strategy. These Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

"We applaud the SEE program for assisting schools to proactively manage their energy use" said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "Because buildings contribute about 20% of our national greenhouse gas emissions, effective energy management helps the bottom line and protects our environment."

About Schools for Energy Efficiency from Hallberg Engineering, Inc.

The SEE program was developed by Hallberg Engineering, Inc. of White Bear Lake, MN, a mechanical and electrical engineering firm with more than 25 years experience serving school districts. SEE was created in response to client's need for a flexible, self-managed plan to help realize immediate savings in energy use as well as develop a long-term culture of energy efficiency.

Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE) is a comprehensive program to help K-12 schools reduce energy use and related expenses by focusing on behavior change. Through SEE's systemized plan, materials, training, and utility tracking school districts gain immediate and sustainable energy saving results.

Participating school districts average an 11 percent annual energy use reduction and together these 250 schools have avoided over $6 million dollars in utility costs in just three years. In addition, they are leading the Nation in the number of K-12 ENERGY STAR([R]) Leader awards for continuous improvement in energy efficiency. For more information, visit www.seeprograms.com.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).