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Gabriel Romero, (702) 367-5241
Maria Vargas, (202) 343-9451

Washington D. C.â€" The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Sierra Pacific Power Company and Nevada Power Company with the Excellence in ENERGY STAR Outreach 2006 Award for their outstanding contributions toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy-efficient products, servicesand/or homes. The companies'accomplishments were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. today.

ENERGY STAR partners Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power are being honored for promoting products, services, homes and programs that meet EPA's guidelines for energy efficiency. Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans saved $12 billion on their energy bills and enough peak energy to power 28 million homes.  Through those savings they avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 23 million vehicles.

"We are proud of our partnership with ENERGY STAR,” said John Hargrove, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Manager for Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power. “It is a fact that through the use of ENERGY STAR products, services, homes and other programs, consumers can save money and contribute to a healthy environment,"said Hargrove"We are proud of our partnership with ENERGY STAR and we will continue to promote awareness about energy efficiency this program."

The Excellence in ENERGY STAR Outreach is given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings.  Award winners are selected from over 8,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

"Partners such as Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power are spreading the word about the importance of energy efficiency in all aspects of our lives,"said Kathleen Hogan, director of EPA's Climate Protection Partnerships Division."They are doing an outstanding job of promoting products, services, homes and programs that help consumers save money and importantly, help protect our environment."

Headquartered in Nevada, Sierra Pacific Resources is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries are Nevada Power Company, the electric utility for most of southern Nevada, and Sierra Pacific Power Company, the electric utility for most of northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California. Sierra Pacific Power Company also distributes natural gas in the Reno-Sparks area of northern Nevada. Other subsidiaries include the Tuscarora Gas Pipeline Company, which owns 50 percent interest in an interstate natural gas transmission partnership and several unregulated energy services companies.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in
1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 8,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visitwww.energystar.govor call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).