FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALAMEDA POWER & TELECOM RECEIVES COMMUNITY SERVICE/RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AWARD

ALAMEDA, Calif., March 1, 2005 - Alameda Power & Telecom's innovative "Efficient Schools Program" has earned a Community Service/Resource Efficiency award from the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA).

"When schools and support facilities use resources efficiently, the entire community benefits," said Meredith Owens, Alameda Power & Telecom's Energy Management Supervisor. "Energy-efficiency measures reduce school operating costs, educate community members about ways to use energy efficiently, and create a healthier environment for students and staff alike."

"We're truly thrilled by this recognition," added Alameda Power & Telecom General Manager Valerie Fong. "It honors our community's commitment to the efficient use of electricity, as well as clean and renewable power supplies."

Award program judges included State Senators Robert Dutton, Martha Escutia, and Shiela Kuehl.

The award will be presented at the CMUA Annual Conference to be held this week. Alameda faced significant competition from a number of other utilities such as Burbank Water & Power, Lompoc City Electric, the City of Palo Alto Utilities, Redlands Municipal Utilities, and the Redding Electric Utility.

Owens explained that, starting in 1992, Alameda P&T helped the school district complete energy-efficiency retrofits to all school facilities by reviewing proposals, performing pre-installation and post-installation inspections, and providing rebates to the school district totaling $126,332. These energy-efficiency retrofits focused on lighting and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning measures, that have saved the school district $236,371 in energy costs per year, a total of more than $2 million since program inception.

Alameda Power & Telecom also has provided an ongoing energy education program that includes such projects as the installation of a 1-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at the Lincoln Middle School, classroom presentations about renewable energy and energy efficiency, geothermal power plant tours for middle school students and for adults, and participation in the National Night Out program in conjunction with the Alameda Police Department. These initiatives heighten awareness about renewable resources and energy efficiency, help augment classroom activities in science and math, and establish synergies among all stakeholders.

All California schools face the same challenges, bringing all students up to the California State standards and doing it with a decreasing budget. Energy-efficiency programs provide a partial solution to these problems by reducing the operating costs of schools, thus providing more school funds for student education. They also improve the learning environment with better quality lighting and more comfortable facilities. These measures serve as examples of what can be accomplished with energy efficiency and community commitment.