March 8, 2006 News Media Release

EPA AND DOE NAME AUSTIN ENERGY
ENERGY STAR® 2006 PARTNER OF
THE YEAR

Austin Energy earns award for innovative
energy-efficiency program

Austin , TX , March 8, 2006 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have named Austin Energy as an ENERGY STAR 2006 Partner of the Year. The award recognizes Austin Energy's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program as one of the best in the nation.

Each year, Partner of the Year awards are presented in up to four categories, with winners selected from among the 8,000 ENERGY STAR partners nationwide. Austin Energy receives the distinction in the Energy Efficiency Program Delivery category. Partners and other winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2006.

Austin Energy Residential Efficiency Programs were recognized for new initiatives including the inclusion of Building Performance Certification training for companies that make the energy-efficiency improvements for participating Austin Energy customers and for development of a Certificate of Recognition presented to home owners who complete whole house energy-efficiency improvements. The Austin Energy program also provides easy-to-access signature, low-interest loans through a commercial lending institution; quality control inspections by Austin Energy staff of planned and completed energy-efficiency improvements; and substantial promotion of the energy-efficiency program through direct mail, co-op advertising, a utility bill newsletter, community events and Web site promotion.

This is the second year of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program at Austin Energy, and its second national award - winning the ENERGY STAR award for Excellence in Home Improvement in 2005. However, Austin Energy has had a comprehensive energy-efficiency program in place for more than 20 years. Since 1982, the Utility’s energy-efficiency programs have cumulatively offset the need for a 650 megawatt power plant

Last year, over 5,000 Austin residents participated in the Home Performance program , collectively reducing energy use annually by 7.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. That represents sufficient electricity to power about 525 homes year-round, saving those customers as a group almost $750,000 in power costs annually. It also avoided emissions of more than 4,500 tons of carbon dioxide and 4 tons of nitrogen oxides.

“ We are continually working to improve the attractiveness and quality of our programs,” said Jerrel Gustafson, Austin Energy’s manager of the Energy Services Programs. “The satisfaction comes from knowing that you are facilitating improvements that represent an excellent investment for both our customers, our company and our community.”

The nationally certified Building Performance Institute training now offered by Austin Energy to contractors participating in its program involves three, 40-hour training courses in preparation for respective tests in three areas of energy efficiency expertise: Building Analyst Training, Building Envelope Specialist Training, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Specialist Training.

Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans saved $12 billion on their energy bills and enough peak energy to power 28 million homes. The reduced energy use resulted in avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 23 million vehicles.

"Improving home performance is a key component of ENERGY STAR,” said Kathleen Hogan, director of EPA’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division. “ENERGY STAR partners such as Austin Energy are doing an outstanding job. We applaud their efforts in assisting homeowners to improve their homes’ comfort and energy efficiency while helping the environment."

About Austin Energy

Austin Energy is the community-owned electric utility of Austin, Texas serving 360,000 customers and a population of 880,000. Austin Energy is nationally recognized for its energy efficiency programs, establishment of the nation’s first Green Building Program and for the nation’s #1 renewable energy program for sales since 2002, out performing 600 utility-sponsored green power programs nationwide. Austin Energy’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program offers rebates and loans for energy-efficiency improvements. Since 1982, more than 200,000 Austinites have participated in the utility’s energy efficiency programs.

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, in partnership with the US Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 8,000 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).

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For more information, contact Ed Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
Pager: (512) 802-2000