Verizon Earns Energy Star Label For Three More Buildings; Leads Telecom Industry in Energy Efficiency

NEW YORK - Verizon has earned the federal government's prestigious Energy Star certification for three more of its energy-efficient office buildings, maintaining its position as the top Energy Star company in the telecommunications industry.

The company completed facility improvements and rigorous energy-use audits at the three buildings as part of its program to significantly reduce pollution as well as energy costs.

Verizon now has Energy Star certification for eight office buildings across the country, under the federal program run jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). In addition, Verizon is in the process of performing Energy Star benchmarking measurements in 200 more administrative buildings. Verizon also is working with the EPA on an energy-use benchmarking process for the company's central office buildings, where the computerized switching systems that route voice calls and data are located.

No other company in the telecommunications industry has earned as many Energy Star certifications or launched benchmarking in as many buildings, according to the EPA.

"The benchmarking process for earning an Energy Star label helps us identify our least efficient energy-use administrative buildings so we can upgrade those first," said Adolfo Reyes, executive director-Verizon Real Estate Operations. "With the help of Energy Star, Verizon is able to dramatically reduce energy costs while reducing pollution."

Stuart Brodsky, EPA program manager for Energy Star, said, "The Environmental Protection Agency congratulates Verizon for its success in environmental leadership in improving America's environment and providing cleaner air for future generations. By making strategic energy management an integrated part of its business, Verizon is continuing to demonstrate that financial rewards and environmental rewards go hand in hand."

The three Verizon buildings - located in Newbury Park, Calif., Ardmore, Pa., and Glen Ridge, N.J. - recently received the Energy Star label following lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements designed to lower electrical energy use. Under the Energy Star benchmarking program, buildings are audited for energy use and then receive a score between zero and 100, based on how efficiently the building uses electricity. Buildings that receive a score of 75 or higher are eligible to apply for the Energy Star label.

Since launching Energy Star benchmarking and other company energy-reduction initiatives in 2000, Verizon has saved millions of dollars in energy costs annually. Last year alone, Verizon saved $15 million.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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