In August 2003, Baldor Electric Company (NYSE:BEZ) joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR program (www.energystar.gov). Baldor believes that the efforts it makes to improve energy efficiency benefit the natural environment, help to strengthen its financial bottom line, and improve shareholder value.

Baldor has recently completed energy improvements in 13 of its U.S.-based manufacturing plants, resulting in nearly $1 million in annual cost savings. "Since our energy surveys and consumption reduction program began in 2000, we have achieved a total savings of 10 million kilowatt-hours...equivalent to powering 1,300 American homes for a year or planting 1,800 acres of trees! This translates into an air pollution reduction of 13 million pounds of carbon dioxide," says Ed Ralston, Baldor Director of Audit Services.

John McFarland, Baldor's President and CEO, says, "We work diligently to control our internal energy consumption, resulting in increased operating efficiency. Teaming with ENERGY STAR will allow Baldor to network with other U.S. manufacturing companies, share successes, help industry improve energy efficiency, and identify opportunities to reduce our energy requirements even further."

For more information on Baldor's ENERGY STAR accomplishments, contact Blaine Collison at collison.blaine@epa.gov.

US EPA ENERGY STAR

US EPA ENERGY STAR

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