11.07.2007 - 07:40am ET

(CSRwire) SILVER SPRING, MD - November 7, 2007 - /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery Communications' global multiplatform eco-lifestyle initiative, Planet Green, announced today that Steve Thomas, Emmy Award-winning television personality, has signed on with the company as a green building and renovation expert. Most widely recognized for his 14-year stint on television's most popular home improvement series, THIS OLD HOUSE, Thomas has expanded his expertise in the home renovation area to incorporate green practices. A former spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency's program Home Performance with Energy Star, Thomas has encouraged sustainable building and energy conservation technologies in new and old houses for more than 20 years.

"Steve's expertise in the home improvement field is unsurpassed by any other host on television," said Eileen O'Neill, president and general manager, Planet Green. "Our viewers want to make green choices, and they want to hear from expert sources. For years, Steve has incorporated energy-efficient building practices, technologies and products into his work, and we are thrilled that Steve's vision will encourage a whole new generation to build it better."

"I am very excited to join Planet Green, as my passion is in the green future of building and renovation," said Thomas. "There are many projects that use cool design and sustainable technologies, and we can't wait to share those stories with viewers. Whether your home is large or small, new or old, we want to show you how easy it is to go green."

In his new role, Thomas will create content for building and renovation projects across Planet Green's platforms for on-air, mobile and online, including Treehugger.com, the leading eco-lifestyle Web site, expanding on the network's promise to document, preserve and celebrate the planet.

Thomas was honored with a 1997-1998 Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Service Show Host," and he has received a total of nine nominations throughout his career. Thomas consults on residential building and renovation for clients all over the United States, and he has renovated a number of old houses, including an 1846 Greek revival and the 1836 colonial revival in which he currently resides with his wife and son in a seaport town north of Boston. His most recent project is the renovation of a cottage on a small island off the coast of Maine using many green and energy-efficient technologies and products, which will be featured on Planet Green.

About Planet Green
Planet Green is Discovery Communications' global, cross-company initiative with a commitment to document, preserve and celebrate the planet, including the first-ever 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network, scheduled to launch in 2008 to more than 50 million homes. Planet Green speaks to people who want to understand green living and to those who truly want to make a difference by providing tools and information to meet the critical challenge of protecting our environment. Planet Green will meet the demands of consumers and viewers by providing content that will enlighten, empower and most important, entertain.

SOURCE Discovery Communications

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