Sierra Pacific Power Company
Contact: Faye I. Andersen, 775-834-4822
Karl Walquist, 775-834-3891
Phone: please see above

For Immediate Release

Residential and Small Commercial Customers to Benefit

Sierra Pacific Power Company plans to spend $2 million on energy efficiency programs to assist residential and small commercial customers in managing their energy usage in northern Nevada homes and businesses. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) gave the go-ahead for the program during their meeting today in Carson City.

Joining in the proposal were the PUCN Staff, the Nevada Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection, and the Land and Water fund of the Rockies.

The programs will begin in 2003 and take a double-edged approach to curbing energy usage that includes energy education and consultation, plus traditional conservation methods such as energy efficient appliances and lighting replacements.

"This program is designed to help our residential and small commercial customers understand the use of our product, electricity, and to use that product more efficiently,"said Robert Balzar, director of energy efficiency and conservation for Sierra Pacific Power Co. and Nevada Power Co. A similar program has will be launched in southern Nevada.

• Some new and expanded programs include:
• Low-income weatherization grants and assistance.
• Incentives to replace inefficient"second"refrigerators and freezers.
• Promotion of energy efficient"Energy Star"appliances and products.
• Technical training for contractors and builders.
• Energy education and training for irrigation customers on pumps and motors.
• Consultation on energy efficient new home construction.
• Incentive programs for small commercial customers for a wide range of air conditioning, lighting efficiency and building performance measures.
• A variety of public energy education presentations and programs that will run throughout 2003.

"We intend to partner with the Nevada State Housing Division to provide weatherization to low income households and assist subcontractors with training and management of these services,"Balzar said."We'll also be providing energy education for residences and small businesses about the best uses of appliances and technologies in order to conserve energy."

Sierra Pacific will offer small commercial customers a custom incentive program for a wide range of air conditioning, lighting efficiency and building performance measures, based upon energy savings.

Balzar said Sierra Pacific will spend the next few months planning and developing these programs, so they're ready for launch to the customers by the beginning of 2003.

He encouraged interested customers to visit Sierra Pacific's website at http://www.sierrapacific.com/ for no cost, low cost and other energy efficiency information and tips.