EPA and DOE Recognize National Grid As Energy Efficiency Leader for 12th Consecutive Year

WALTHAM, MA (04/18/2011)(readMedia)-- National Grid has again achieved national recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its leadership in mitigating the effects of climate change, teeing up opportunities for customers to put green back into their wallets through efficiency savings. This is the 12th consecutive year the company has been recognized for its energy efficiency efforts.

The company was honored with four awards at the EPA-DOE ENERGY STAR© awards ceremony held April 12, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

"Energy efficiency is the most effective way for customers to save money on their monthly bills and reduce their carbon footprint " said Edward White, vice president, Energy Products, National Grid. "More than 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners working to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. To be recognized for ENERGY STAR's highest honors tells us that we really are on the right track for our customers and for the environment."

Across the country, consumers, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their utility bills and prevented 170 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 alone--equivalent to avoiding the annual emissions from 34 million vehicles.

National Grid received the following EPA and DOE ENERGY STAR awards:

Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotions

National Grid won the Excellence in ENERGY STAR award for the company's innovative and creative approach in designing and implementing programs to reach youth and harder-to-reach audiences across its service territory.

"Thanks to the creative promotion efforts of partners like National Grid, consumers can more easily find energy-efficient ENERGY STAR products in the marketplace," said Elizabeth Craig, acting director of EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs. "National Grid leads the way by helping Americans learn how they can protect our environment through energy efficiency. We look forward to seeing the innovative programs our partners will continue to deliver."

ENERGY STAR Emerging Markets Award for New Hampshire Home Performance with Energy Star

For the first time, National Grid this year won the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Emerging Markets award as a member of the New Hampshire CORE Electric Utilities. The CORE received the honor for its outstanding commitment to helping New Hampshire homeowners reduce their energy consumption while ensuring the comfort of their homes. The group is one of three awardees being recognized for their ongoing efforts to deliver efficiencies that lead to significant energy savings for homeowners and reduction of the greenhouse gases related to energy consumption.

ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence in Program Delivery and Partner of the Year Award

For the fourth year in a row, the EPA and DOE have awarded National Grid, as part of the Northeast ENERGY STAR Products Initiative, the highest honor possible from ENERGY STAR for work the group has done to forward energy efficiency in the Northeastern U.S. The Initiative is a regional effort, facilitated by Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP).

National Grid, which won the award as a NEEP member, makes energy-efficient lighting and appliances available to its customers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

The Initiative is being honored for its long-term commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact, resulting in significant cost savings.

Initiative programs include the execution of a residential, customer-focused lighting and appliance efficiency program that includes consumer incentives, an innovative multimedia marketing plan, and field service retailer outreach.

Sustained Excellence Award for ENERGY STAR Homes

National Grid also accepted a second Sustained Excellence Award on behalf of the Joint Management Committee (JMC), a consortium of all gas and electricity energy efficiency providers in Mass., in recognition of the Committee's collaborative efforts to implement the "Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR" program throughout the Commonwealth.

Under this program, National Grid offers a variety of incentives and technical support to build new ENERGY STAR homes. The program also provides incentives and technical support to lower utility costs and increased comfort while protecting the environment.

About National Grid

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority. It is also the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy use. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 kinds of products as well as new homes and buildings. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas equivalent to those of 34 million cars. Products, homes and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR prevent emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA. For more information, go to energystar.gov

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