News & events : sustained excellence award

Press Release:

For Immediate Release
   Media Contacts:
   Rebecca Ehlers / Tim Wirtz
   Hoffman York
   414-225-9568 / 414-225-9522
   rehlers@hyc.com
   twirtz@hyc.com

Focus on Energy Wins ENERGY STAR^® Sustained Excellence Award
State's energy efficiency initiative recognized for Products, Homes Programs

MADISON, Wis. (March 22, 2007) - Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, has received honors for the fifth straight year from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with the receipt of the 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award. The award is in recognition of their long-term commitment to promoting energy efficiency to Wisconsin residents through offerings like the ENERGY STAR Products Program, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program. The award was given out at a ceremony in Washington D.C. on March 21, 2007.

"We are honored to once again be recognized at a national level for what Focus on Energy is doing in Wisconsin with three of our energy efficiency programs," said Janet Brandt, director of the Focus on Energy Programs. "As we demonstrate through our programs, energy efficiency has a place in the every day lives of Wisconsin residents, and together we can make Wisconsin a better place to live."

The 2007 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have consistently exhibited outstanding leadership. These winners have set and achieved aggressive goals, employed innovative approaches and shown others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. The awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR Program including energy efficient products, services and new homes, as well as programs for commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR Program.

"Partners like Focus on Energy are outstanding leaders in protecting our environment through energy efficiency," said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "As one of the 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence winners, Focus on Energy has taken energy efficiency to new heights year after year and we all benefit."

Additional Program Information
ENERGY STAR Products Program Raises Customer Awareness of the ENERGY STAR
The Focus ENERGY STAR Products Program is being recognized for its comprehensive market transformation program that involves working with consumers, retailers and manufacturers to encourage the production, sale and purchase of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and lighting products. In the last year, the program achieved savings of more than 71 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 339,709 therms, while preventing the release of 85,700 tons of carbon dioxide.

The sale of more than 900,000 ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs across Wisconsin in 2006 will save residents more than $3.9 million on their energy bills during the first year of use alone. With campaigns encouraging the use of qualified products such as refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, ceiling fans, room air conditioners and lighting products, Focus on Energy has helped residents lower their cost of living, improve Wisconsin's environmental health and preserve its natural resources for future generations.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Improves More Than 3,500 Wisconsin Homes
Focus on Energy's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program is being honored for helping homeowners in Wisconsin make energy efficient upgrades and improvements that enhance home comfort while saving money on utility bills. Focus on Energy has played a key role in transforming the market for energy efficient existing homes in Wisconsin.

Since 2001, more than 3,500 homes have been improved using the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program including more than 1,000 in the past year. The program used a variety of marketing tools to help an estimated five million people learn about its offerings.

Number of Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Grows
The final award winner is the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program that works with homeowners, builders and the building industry to construct better homes that are estimated to be 25 percent more energy efficient than homes built to Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code. More than 350 builders across the state are building homes to the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program standards.

Buyers of certified Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes enjoy peace of mind knowing they have a well-built home that will be comfortable, safe, durable and energy efficient. With the help of several different marketing strategies, the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program increased its builder participation, its service availability, consumer awareness and the number of certified Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes built to an impressive 7,400 homes.

"I congratulate Focus on Energy for the ongoing success of their energy efficiency programs," said Dan Ebert, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC). "The results of these programs are paying off for Wisconsin's energy consumers in lower utility bills and lower impacts on the environment. I am looking forward to working with the Focus on Energy Program and its continued success when the PSC assumes oversight of the program in July."

About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and enewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not get completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information call 800.762.7077 or visit focusonenergy.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 air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy efficient solutions to save energy and money, and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 8,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information, visit energystar.gov.

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