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Green Mountain Energy Company to Donate 10,000 Trees Statewide to Commemorate Customers' Commitment to Use Pollution-Free Electricity

Green Mountain Energy Company to Donate 10,000 Trees Statewide to Commemorate Customers' Commitment to Use Pollution-Free Electricity

Published 05-31-01

Submitted by Green Mountain Power Corporation

Delivering "a breath of fresh air" to Texas consumers, Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation's largest residential retail provider of cleaner electricity, is kicking off the state's Electric Choice Pilot Program with the launch of the first phase of its year-long Texas Fresh Air Project.

In partnership with American Forests, the nation's oldest non-profit conservation organization, Green Mountain Energy Company will donate additional fresh air to Texas by sponsoring the planting of 10,000 native trees in the state to help restore damaged forest ecosystems and provide clean air. The Texas Fresh Air Project is designed to complement the environmental choice that consumers make when choosing 100 percent pollution-free, wind-powered electricity generation from Green Mountain Energy Company.

"We created the Texas Fresh Air Project because we value our customers' choice to buy pollution-free electricity, which eventually helps to create cleaner air, and we wanted to give something back to recognize their desire to make a difference in the environment," said Gillan Taddune, vice president and general manager, Texas region, for Green Mountain Energy Company. "Just as we are committed to changing the way electricity is made, we are dedicated to being stewards of the environment and supporting a cleaner Texas."

Recently, the American Lung Association reported that the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area and the Dallas-Fort Worth area were among "America's Top 25 Most Ozone-Polluted Cities," ranking No. 5 and No. 14 respectively. Along with the ozone pollution issue, Texas also must battle poor air quality from electricity generation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, electricity generation is the largest industrial source of air pollution. The generation of electricity is responsible for 40 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions annually - a greenhouse gas that leads to global warming.

Trees absorb CO2 and other gasses, and in turn replenish the atmosphere with oxygen. One acre of trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people every day, while over a year's time trees absorb enough CO2 to equal the amount produced by driving a car 3,300 miles.

"This type of program goes a long way toward supporting our goal of planting native trees in Texas to restore thousands of acres of damaged ecosystems and to help clean the air," said Deborah Gangloff, Executive Director of American Forests. "Green Mountain Energy Company's commitment through this project will help benefit the environment in the state, and we encourage more companies to join in this effort to help make a difference in restoring our native ecosystems."

Through the first phase of the Texas Fresh Air Project, beginning on June 1, 2001, Green Mountain Energy Company will donate 5,000 trees on behalf of new customers that choose the company's pollution-free electricity. During this phase, the trees will be donated to the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, a damaged forest area approximately 100 miles from Houston that is being revitalized through American Forest's Global ReLeaf tree planting program in Texas. During the second part of the Texas Fresh Air Project, which begins when the full Texas Electric Choice Pilot Program launches in January 2002, the company will contribute another 5,000 trees to additional American Forests restoration projects throughout the state. Green Mountain Energy Company and American Forests have worked together for the last two years to plant more than 31,000 trees through environmental revitalization projects in areas throughout the country, including Pennsylvania, Connecticut and California.

Texas Electric Choice Pilot Program

Eligible Texas consumers can continue to sign up to become Green Mountain Energy Company customers through the state's pilot program and choose 100 percent pollution-free wind power by calling 1-866-GREEN TX or by visiting www.greenmountain.com. Consumers who switch to Green Mountain Energy Company will enjoy fixed-rate pricing for their electricity service, protecting customers from monthly rate fluctuations.

The price for Green Mountain Energy Company service will be 9.2 cents per kWh for customers in the TXU service areas, and 9.8 cents per kWh for customers in the Reliant Energy service territory. Customers also will be charged a $4.95 per month customer service fee. TXU territories span the I-35 corridor from Round Rock/Georgetown through Waco/Temple/Killeen to include Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Reliant service territory includes Houston and surrounding communities.

About Green Mountain Energy Company

Green Mountain Energy Company is the largest and fastest growing residential retailer of less-polluting energy generated from wind, solar, water, geothermal, biomass, and natural gas sources in the U.S. The Austin, Texas-based Company provides customers with electricity - marketed under the Green Mountain Energysm brand - that is dramatically cleaner than typical regional system power. More than half a million customers in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas have chosen Green Mountain Energy Company as their electricity provider. Green Mountain Energysm customer demand has helped build a number of new renewable generation facilities in markets across the U.S., including one of the largest wind farms on the East Coast in Garrett, PA and one of the largest solar facilities in Northern California. The company was founded in September of 1997. For more information on the company's efforts to change the way power is made, please visit www.greenmountain.com or send an email to thetxfolks@greennmountain.com.

About American Forests

Founded in 1875, American Forests is the nation's largest non-profit conservation organization. Its three centers - Global ReLeaf, Urban Forest and Forest Policy - mobilize people and organizations around the world to improve the environment by planting and caring for trees. American Forests publishes American Forests magazine, and can be found on the Internet at www.americanforests.org.

Green Mountain Power Corporation logo

Green Mountain Power Corporation

Green Mountain Power Corporation

Green Mountain Power, an investor-owned electric utility serving one-quarter of Vermont's population, embraces speed, efficiency, open communication and environmental commitment. As a member of Ceres, Green Mountain Power is committed to continuous environmental improvement and uses the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines to report on its environmental, economic and social activities. In 2006, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility named Green Mountain Power "Large Company Leader of the Year." Green Mountain Power owns and operates the largest commercial wind generating station in New England. In 2005, approximately 48 percent of the fuels used to generate electricity came from water, wood and wind.

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