Southern California Edison Media Contact: Vanessa McGrady, (626) 302-2255
Environmental Protection Agency Media Contact: Maria Vargas, (202) 343-9178
ROSEMEAD, Calif., March 2, 2010 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Southern California Edison (SCE) a 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. SCE’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18.
SCE, which has been promoting ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics since the early 1990s, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency. Over the last five years, SCE's energy-efficiency programs have saved 6.8 billion kilowatt-hours – enough energy to power 965,000 average Southern California homes for an entire year. In this period, the programs have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 3.4 million metric tons – the equivalent of removing 650,000 cars from the road. During the next three years, SCE will help customers save an additional 4.9 billion kilowatt-hours, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by another 2.4 million metric tons. Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved nearly $17 billion on their energy bills
“By finding smarter ways to use electricity while maintaining high performance standards for electronics and appliances, ENERGY STAR has shown a great commitment to consumers and to the environment,” said Gene Rodrigues, SCE’s director of Energy Efficiency, “We are proud to partner with the EPA and we look forward to continuing our work together for the nation’s clean, green energy future.”
The 2010 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. The awards recognize ongoing leadership in several ENERGY STAR programs including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
“The EPA is recognizing SCE with our highest ENERGY STAR award – the 2010 Sustained Excellence Award,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “SCE’s continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment.”
About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.
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 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).
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