9.27.2000 ET

(CSRwire) AT&T made a financial contribution to Renew America’s community environmental quality program, continuing a longstanding relationship between the global telecommunications company and the national environmental education organization.

“We are proud to continue this level of support for such a worthwhile organization as Renew America, which fits so well with our environment, health and safety vision. Our many philanthropic programs help address the triple bottom line, which takes into account oursocial, environmental, and financial responsibilities,” said Thecla Briggs, AT&T Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) stakeholder affairs manager.

“AT&T has a distinguished history with Renew America by being our longest corporate sponsor and it is a compliment to us that they continue to support us, “ said Thomas S. Davis, chairman. “This generous gift will support our National Sustainability Award Program, which helps spread the message about what works in communities.

Renew America, which specializes in identifying, verifying and promoting model programs that protect, restore and enhance the environment, collaborates with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development in identifying successful community sustainability models. Its Environmental Success Index, at its Web site at www.crest.org/renew_america, annotates more than 1,500 model programs. Its National Award for Environmental Sustainability rewards 26 of these programs.

“AT&T and Renew America complement each other. AT&T engages its employees and leverages technology to protect the environment in their local community, “ Davis said. “That fits in well with the activities of Renew America.” Renew America works with AT&T to document programs using communication technology to advance environmental goals.

AT&T’s EH&S Organization uses three strategies to improve the environment. They are engaging employees, providing research and education on industrial ecology and developing technology that benefits the environment. AT&T’s award-winning employee program, AT&T CARES, informs employees about how to improve the environment in their community and stresses personal responsibility for environment, health and safety. Another program awards fellowships in industrial ecology through its foundation, and AT&T’s vice president of EH&S, Braden Allenby, conducts seminars and teaches courses on this subject and related issues. AT&T’s telework program, which uses technology to allow employees to work at home, allowed employees to avoid commuting 87 million miles in 1999, which prevented the emission of more than 2.8 billion pounds of carbon monoxide.

Renew America works with a variety of other community organizations including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Renew America recognizes and supports the efforts of people solving environmental problems in varied settings. It also provides businesses, governments, community and environmental groups, and citizens with practical, proven models to emulate. By offering positive, constructive models, Renew America inspires communities, government agencies and businesses to meet today's environmental challenges.

AT&T (www.att.com) is among the world's premier voice, video, and data communications companies, serving more than 80 million customers, including consumers, businesses and government. AT&T has annual revenues of more than $62 billion and 160,000 employees, and provides services to customers worldwide. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company runs the world’s largest, most ophisticated communications network, is the largest cable operator in the U.S., and has one of the largest digital wireless networks in North America.

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