Utility Earns Award for Protecting the Environment through Energy Efficiency SAN FRANCISCO, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded PG&E a 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award. PG&E, an ENERGY STAR partner for nearly two decades, was honored for its 2006-2008 energy efficiency portfolio accomplishments, including its Large Commercial Automated Benchmarking Service, Appliance Rebate Program, Business and Consumer Electronics Program launch, ENERGY STAR New Homes Program and 'Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR' national campaign promotion. "PG&E is committed to energy efficiency through our diverse array of programs, services and campaigns aimed at helping our customers save money and energy," said Jan Berman, senior director of Customer Energy Efficiency for PG&E. "Our long-time partnership with ENERGY STAR demonstrates our strong commitment to preserving the environment through energy efficiency. We view our ENERGY STAR partnership as a key way to fight climate change." Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through participation in ENERGY STAR. Last year alone Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $19 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles. The 2009 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. "EPA is delighted to recognize PG&E with the 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award," said Kathleen Hogan, director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the U.S. EPA. "PG&E's leadership on energy efficiency has yielded impressive results for their bottom line and our global environment, showing us all what can be accomplished through sustained commitment and action." PG&E is a national leader in energy efficiency programs. Since the inception of these programs in 1976, PG&E customers have achieved cost savings of more than $24 billion, avoiding the release of more than 155 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of , is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in northern and central California. For more information, visit http://www.pge.com/about/. 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, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit http://www.energystar.gov/ or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). DATASOURCE: Pacific Gas and Electric Company CONTACT: External Communications Department of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, +1-415-973-5930 Web Site: http://www.pge.com/about

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