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EPA Recognizes Danvers, Mass. Company as an Energy Star Leader

Release Date: 03/27/2002
Contact Information: Mark Merchant, EPA Boston Press Office (617) 918-1013

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The OSRAM SYLVANIA company – one of the world's largest manufacturers of lighting products headquartered in Danvers, Mass. – was honored Tuesday night by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts to enhance energy efficiency and reduce global warming gases.

At a presentation in Washington, D.C., EPA Administrator Christie Whitman awarded OSRAM SYLVANIA an Energy Star Partner Award. It was one of 36 awards given to companies and organizations nationwide, and one of four in New England.

OSRAM SYLVANIA was presented with an Energy Star Excellence in Efficient Products Award for its commitment to integrating environmental stewardship into its business practices through its participation in the Energy Star program.

In 2001, OSRAM SYLVANIA promoted Energy Star by engaging hundreds of retail stores across the country in the program's "Change a Light" campaign. OSRAM SYLVANIA asked retailers to display information and in-store advertisements encouraging consumers to buy Energy Star lighting and offered coupons for Energy Star lighting to consumers.

"Successful partnerships have always been integral to achieving our environmental protection goals," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "We honor the 2002 Energy Star Partner Award winners who serve as models to other businesses and organizations, proving you can improve our environment while saving energy and money."

In 2001 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $5 billion in energy costs and reduced pollution equivalent to taking 10 million cars off the road. More than 750 million Energy Star products have been sold, more than 55,000 new homes have earned the Energy Star label and more than 10,000 office buildings, schools, supermarkets and hotels have benchmarked their energy performance as a basis for future progress. All this has been accomplished without sacrificing product features, quality or personal comfort.

"The Energy Star program has already saved New England consumers and businesses $1.9 billion. One of our biggest priorities now is to expand this voluntary program," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "To do this, partnerships between EPA and companies like OSRAM SYLVANIA are essential. The company's efforts have been outstanding. I want to thank them and I know they will continue their support of Energy Star in the future."

Jon Digesu, the company's director of marketing communications said, "This award underscores OSRAM SYLVANIA's commitment to energy efficiency through advances in lighting technology. We are now manufacturing compact flourescent lights that last six times as long as an incandescent lamp and provides lighting suitable for most uses."

Energy Star is a voluntary partnership started in 1992 between business, government and others united to protect our environment for future generations by changing to energy-efficient practices today. Businesses can use Energy Star to improve efficiency, enhance profits and create a competitive advantage. The program has more than 7,000 partners.

"For 10 years the Energy Star program has inspired energy efficiency in businesses and organizations throughout the country. We look forward to another 10 years of working with our partners towards increased environmental protection," said Whitman.

As part of his Energy Plan, President Bush called for an expansion of the Energy Star program. The EPA has been working to expand the program to include additional buildings and products such as grocery stores, health care facilities and ceiling fans. In addition, last fall the agency launched a public awareness campaign to educate more Americans about their choices in saving energy and money.

For more information about the Energy Star program, contact Cindy Jacobs at 202-564-1129 or go to http://www.energystar.gov or call 1-888-STAR-YES.

For more information about Energy Star products, please visit http://www.betterwaytosave.com

For more information about OSRAM SYLVANIA, contact Ronald J. O'Brien, Corporate Communications, (978) 750-2225, or visit http://www.sylvania.com.