The Green Education Foundation (GEF) is mobilizing millions of K-12 students to participate in the Green Energy Challenge - the largest school-based energy efficiency campaign to date, coupling environmental lessons with hands-on audits.

The Green Energy Challenge program, sponsored by National Grid, calls on students nationwide to audit their classrooms, schools and homes to find energy leaks and correct them in an effort to reduce utility costs and help the environment. Participating schools will research past bills and implement comprehensive yet simple changes in an effort to reduce associated costs during the 2010-‘11 school year. Results will be posted on GEF's website on Earth Day (April 22), 2011.

Audit checklists and energy experiments for all grade levels accompany the program. GEF's comprehensive online curriculum library provides standards-based lessons, activities and projects that are easily incorporated into science, math, language arts, social studies, and creative arts curricula.

"National Grid is committed to giving back to the community and preserving the environment. The Green Energy Challenge is an effective way to teach students and families simple techniques that can save money, while also jumpstarting a commitment for environmental learning. The Green Energy Challenge supports National Grid's Engineering Our Future initiative designed to inspire youth to pursue science, technology, engineering and math skills," states Loretta Smith, Director US Corporate Citizenship for National Grid. Nearly 500,000 student participants live in National Grid service areas - Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Educators participating in the Green Energy Challenge will have access to a multitude of prize giveaways, including an assortment of environmental books; t-shirts, sticker badges and cash Green In Action awards. "By participating in the Green Energy Challenge, students will learn that simple decisions such turning off lights and adjusting thermostat settings can address monumental environmental problems," states Victoria Waters, president and founder of GEF. "Children are in the best position to impact the future of the environment by developing green behaviors that become lifelong habits."

The Green Energy Challenge is free! Schools and youth groups are urged to register now to receive a Green Energy Challenge eco-kit, visit www.GreenEducationFoundation.org to enroll today.

About Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Green Education Foundation (GEF) is a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization that provides environmental education resources for Pre K-12 classrooms and youth groups nationwide. GEF believes that what is healthy for the environment is healthy for kids, and promotes learning opportunities that develop sustainable habits of environmental stewardship in children and their communities. GEF's National Green Week mobilizes millions of students each year to participate in eco-challenges that empower school communities to achieve measurable and sustainable goals in waste reduction and energy conservation. For more information visit: www.GreenEducationFoundation.org.

About National Grid
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

National Grid

National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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