Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) has been named the Green Lights' Partner of the Year of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes the company's commitment to preserving natural resources by reducing energy consumption through installation of energy-efficient lighting. Pitney Bowes has realized an overall decrease in energy consumption of 14% and a cost reduction of 15% since the foundation of its energy management team in 1997.

The Green Lights Program encourages widespread use of energy-efficient lighting. Participants in Green Lights can reduce their lighting electricity bill while maintaining - and often improving - lighting quality. Pitney Bowes has upgraded over 2.8 million square feet of its lighting infrastructure, which translates into significant reductions in carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide - chemicals that lead to air pollution. By upgrading its buildings, Pitney Bowes is preserving natural resources and contributing to cleaner air.

"Pitney Bowes is an environmentally-conscious business with numerous initiatives that save resources, eliminate pollution and positively impact the environment," said Joe Shimsky, executive director of corporate safety and environmental affairs at Pitney Bowes. "The Green Lights partnership is a win-win relationship in which we conserve resources and benefit the environment, while reducing costs and enhancing our operating efficiencies."

Pitney Bowes was one of 12 Energy Star Buildings and Green Lights organizations recently recognized at the EPA's annual award dinner in Washington, D.C. The Green Lights Program, which started in 1991, is now part of the broader Energy Star Buildings Program, which focuses on profitable building-wide energy upgrades. The program currently has more than 2,500 participants nationwide. According to the EPA, if the program were implemented in every U.S. commercial and industrial building, the nation's energy bill could be reduced by up to $25 billion annually, and up to 35 % of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with these buildings could be eliminated. As of September 1999, participants have reduced energy use by several billion kilowatt hours and have cumulatively saved over $1.4 billion on their energy bills.

Editor's note: Accomplishment numbers change frequently. Please call the toll-free ENERGY STAR Hotline at 1-888-STAR YES for the most current information.

Pitney Bowes Inc.

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