Press Release:
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For Immediate Release Media Contacts: Julie Wade / Tim Wirtz Hoffman York 414-225-9568 / 414-225-9522 jwade@hyc.com twirtz@hyc.com |
WISCONSIN ENERGY CONSERVATION CORPORATION (WECC) ADMINISTERS AWARD-WINNING ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
WECC-administered energy programs to receive National ENERGY STAR® Awards
MADISON, Wis. (March 22, 2006) - Two Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC) programs will
receive national awards in March. Energy efficiency efforts that WECC administers in Wisconsin and Iowa are being
recognized with ENERGY STAR awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) at a ceremony in Washington D.C on March 21, 2006.
Wisconsin Focus on Energy, one of the award–winning programs WECC administers, will receive the ENERGY STAR
Sustained Excellence 2006 award for its leadership in the promotion and practice of energy efficiency. The EPA
and DOE selected Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, for the award
because of its accomplishments in three ENERGY STAR programs — ENERGY STAR Products, Home Performance with ENERGY
STAR and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Programs. The three programs were successful in setting and achieving aggressive
goals, employing innovative approaches and showing what can be achieved through energy efficiency.
In 2005, the ENERGY STAR Products Program resulted in the sale of 900,000 qualified products across the state
saving Wisconsin residents more than $3.9 million on their energy bills in their first year of use alone. With
the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, more than 3,000 homes have been improved. The Wisconsin ENERGY STAR
Homes Program has been highly successful since its inception, both in builder participation and consumer awareness
with more than 350 builders across Wisconsin building homes to the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes guidelines.
"These programs provide economic and environmental benefits to consumers and businesses," said Janet Brandt,
Executive Director of WECC. "The programs provide customers with high quality, affordable opportunities to improve
their energy efficiency."
In addition, WECC's work with Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light Company and MidAmerican Energy Company in
Iowa will garner a Product Promotion Award for the National ENERGY STAR "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign.
Alliant Energy and MidAmerican are being recognized for their work with more than 335 retailers to hold "Change a
Light, Change the World" promotional activities throughout the state of Iowa.
This campaign encourages residents to purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of standard
incandescent lighting. With the help of their manufacturer and retailer partners, more than 90,000 households and
businesses in Iowa purchased more than 375,000 CFLs. Brandt noted that the customer and retailer response to
"Change a Light" in Iowa was "phenomenal, especially for a first-year effort."
These programs support the WECC mission by championing energy initiatives and helping customers make smart, energy
efficient decisions which in turn provide real benefits to the economy and environment.
For more information about WECC, call 800.969.9322 or visit weccusa.org.
About the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation is a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wis. Established in
1980, WECC is a national leader in designing and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs
that partner with private businesses to deliver value to consumers. It champions innovative energy initiatives
that deliver short- and long-term economic and environmental benefits to consumers, businesses and policy makers.
For more information about WECC, call 800.969.9322 or visit weccusa.org.
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