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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release December 2, 1999
                  FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE:
         COMPANIES ANNOUNCE ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCT PROMOTIONS
                            December 2, 1999

As part the release of the Greening of the White House Report, a number of leading American companies are announcing a series of consumer incentives to help promote the use of energy efficient products by Americans in their own homes. Right now over 1,200 manufacturers and some 4,000 retail showrooms offer highly energy efficient Energy Star products. By using Energy Star products and taking other simple, common-sense steps, Americans can realize significant savings, cut air pollution, and make a meaningful contribution to cutting emissions of the greenhouse gases believed responsible for global warming.

The typical U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on its home utility bill. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. In fact, in the aggregate, U.S. homes waste as much energy as we get from the Alaskan oil pipeline each year. And the electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. Using energy efficient appliances and other common-sense conservation measures can significantly reduce home energy costs and help the environment.

Energy Star(R) Products Promotions. Six major Americans companies -- Best Buy, Home Depot, Maytag, Philips Lighting Company North America, Sears, and Whirlpool -- are announcing a series of consumer incentives to help promote the use of energy efficient products by Americans in their own homes. All of these companies are partners in Energy Star Products, a Federal-private sector partnership to design and promote appliances and other items that use cutting-edge energy efficient technologies to save consumers money and help protect the environment.

Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home

By employing a few inexpensive energy efficient measures, homeowners can reduce their energy bills by 10 percent to 50 percent, and at the same time, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on saving energy and money at home, visit DOE's web site at www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers

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