(Marketwire) - Green Mountain Power has been named a finalist in the Platts 2010 Global Energy Awards. The competition is intended to honor and recognize those that have transcended the status quo in the name of excellence in leadership, innovation and performance. Green Mountain Power has been recognized in the "Green Energy Initiative" category.

"We are honored to receive this recognition," says Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. "Green Mountain Power is committed to an energy vision that builds environmental and economic value for our customers, while helping to create a clean energy economy that combats climate change and creates green jobs in Vermont. This nomination recognizes some of the steps we have taken to build utility-owned renewable generation projects and to promote customer-owned solar."

The award program, now in its 12th year, was created by Platts, an international publisher of news, research, commentary, market data and analysis in energy-related markets. The awards recognize leadership, innovation and performance in the energy industry.

Finalists for the 17 award categories of the Platts Global Energy Awards were chosen from among more than 200 nominations from 30 countries. The winner in each category will be selected by an independent panel of judges including former regulators, past heads of major energy companies, leading academics and international energy experts. Winners will be announced on December 2, 2010 in New York City.

Green Mountain Power was recognized for its innovative work in solar and wind. The company's SolarGMP initiative is Vermont's first and only utility solar energy incentive program.

In November 2008, the company launched its "10,000 Solar Panels in 1,000 Days" campaign, setting an aggressive goal of building and incenting customers to install 10,000 solar electric panels. Green Mountain Power met this goal a full year ahead of schedule. With many more residential customers installing solar, the number of GMP customers using solar power has nearly quadrupled since 2008.

Green Mountain Power is also currently seeking state approval for its 63 megawatt Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell. Proposing utility-owned renewable generation offers customers stably-priced, low carbon electricity. The company currently has one of the lowest carbon profiles of any electric utility in the United States.

In addition to Green Mountain Power, the nominees in the "Green Energy Initiative" category are: Alter NRG Corp. (Canada), HDR, Inc./Gills Onions (Nebraska), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (India), Kruger Products L.P. (Canada), NRG Energy, Inc. (California), PacifiCorp/MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (Oregon), and TURBINA IPD (Bosnia).

About Platt Global Energy Awards:
Established in 1999, the Platts Global Energy Awards has become the most recognized awards program in the industry and recognizes innovation, leadership, and superior performance in categories spanning the entire energy industry. Platts is the leading global provider of energy and metals information in energy-related markets including metals, shipping, oil, coal, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power, petrochemicals, renewables, and emissions. For more information visit http://geaweb.platts.com/Home.aspx.

About Green Mountain Power:
Green Mountain Power (www.greenmountainpower.com) generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in the State of Vermont. It serves more than 175,000 people and businesses.

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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