CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, April 7, 2011 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized AEP Texas with a 2011 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the delivery of energy efficiency information and services to its customers.
 
AEP Texas, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2008, is being honored for its work to increase market share of energy efficient products and homes through the AEP Texas ENERGY STAR New Homes Market Transformation Program.  The program targets home builders and consumers to influence building of and demand for energy efficient ENERGY STAR qualified homes.  ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more efficient than homes built to existing code.  AEP Texas promotes the program through comprehensive outreach, education and marketing efforts.
 
"AEP Texas is pleased to receive recognition for our ENERGY STAR New Homes program and our work to educate local building allies and consumers about the value of energy efficiency," said Melissa Proske, program manager for the AEP Texas ENERGY STAR New Homes program. "We value the South Texas home builders and certified home energy raters who participate in our program and their commitment to energy efficient building and construction practices."
 
The ENERGY STAR awards are 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 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their utility bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 170 million metric tons - equivalent to taking 34 million vehicles off of the highway.
 
AEP Texas will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 12.
 
AEP Texas, a unit of American Electric Power, delivers electricity to some 950,000 homes, businesses and industries in south and west Texas. AEP Texas provides regulated energy delivery service to consumers, regardless of which Retail Electric Provider they choose. The company headquarters is in Corpus Christi.
 
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