For the second year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is honoring Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) with its ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award. The award recognizes PSO for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by delivering information and services to its customers to increase energy efficiency.

PSO’s accomplishments will be recognized today at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“PSO is a leader in showing its customers how they can help protect our environment while saving energy and money,” said Elizabeth Craig, Acting Director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs. “PSO’s creative solutions are a model for fighting climate change through greater energy efficiency.”

PSO, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2008, is being honored for work to increase market share of energy-efficient ENERGY STAR New Homes. From March 2010 through February 2011, 691 new homes were built to ENERGY STAR New Home standards in PSO’s service area, representing 28 percent of all new homes constructed during that time period. More than 30 home construction contractors have participated in the program.

“ENERGY STAR New Homes are capturing an ever-growing section of the new home market because smart buyers know that an energy efficient home is going to provide significant long-term savings,” said Kathy Champion, PSO’s Consumer Programs manager. “Through programs like ENERGY STAR New Homes, we can help our customers spend less on utility bills and benefit the environment, while also postponing the need to add expensive new generation.”

In 2010, PSO’s energy efficiency programs – including ENERGY STAR New Homes – reduced electrical use by approximately 39 million kilowatt-hours (KWHs). In 2011, energy savings from PSO programs are expected to reach 57 million KWHs.

Additional energy efficiency highlights from PSO in 2010 included:

• ENERGY STAR rebates provided to more than 25,000 customers for HVAC new equipment, refrigerators, room air conditioners and light bulbs.

• Rebates provided to 16 cities and 34 schools statewide for energy efficiency improvements through PSO’s Smart Schools and Model Cities programs.

• Distribution of more than 17,000 energy efficiency kits to 5th grade students across Oklahoma, with supplemental energy education curriculum provided to teachers.

• Home weatherization for more than 1,300 low income customers.

• Incentives provided to help facilitate large commercial lighting retrofits across the PSO service area.

• Incentives to large Commercial and Industrial customers provided two megawatts of energy savings.
 
Learn more about PSO’s energy efficiency programs by visiting our website at PSOklahoma.com/save.

PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 530,000 customers in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. With headquarters in Tulsa, PSO has 4,321 megawatts of generating capacity and provides electricity to 230 cities and towns across a service area encompassing 30,000 square miles. News releases and other information about PSO can be found on the World Wide Web at PSOklahoma.com.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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 emissions equivalent to that 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 www.energystar.gov.

ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from more than 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.