ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS RECEIVES EPA 2014 ENERGY STAR® PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR ENERGY SMART'S ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM DELIVERY

Entergy earns award in Washington D.C. ceremonies for superior energy efficiency initiatives

NEW ORLEANS-Entergy New Orleans, Inc. and the New Orleans City Council received a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award April 29 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C.ceremonies.. Entergy exhibited outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing energy efficiency education and programs to its customers. Award winners are selected from the 16,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Entergy New Orleans and the New Orleans City Council, ENERGY STAR partners since 2011 through the Energy Smart Program, were honored for their work to increase market share of ENERGY STAR-qualified products and services through comprehensive outreach, education and marketing programs. The Energy Smart program was developed by the New Orleans City Council, is administered by Entergy New Orleans and is implemented by CLEAResult.

"This award shows that our partnership with ENERGY STAR has been beneficial for our local residents, and is a win all the way around," said former Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell. "By helping residents make energy-efficient upgrades, they are able to save money and our beloved city becomes a greener place to live and work. Thanks to Entergy New Orleans for fully supporting the program - we were glad to work with them on this and other initiatives that improve the lives of New Orleanians."

Energy Smart's key accomplishments related to the award-winning Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program include:

  • A comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency that can provide a homeowner up to $5,000 in incentives for home energy improvements.

  • Participating contractors conduct on-site home performance assessments that evaluate air and duct leakage, insulation levels, potential moisture problems and age and condition of a home's water heater, doors and windows and appliances.

  • After each assessment, the contractor provides a set of recommended improvement projects that will maximize home energy savings.

  • Program participants have earned over $900k in incentive dollars and reduced energy consumption by 3,600,000 kWh - equivalent to keeping 2,500 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere.

"We care about our customers and the community we serve," said Gary Huntley, vice president of regulatory affairs at Entergy New Orleans. "And by joining with the city, the council and others interested in helping customers through energy-efficiency programs like Energy Smart, we are able to show customers how simple improvements can help them save energy and money while protecting the environment. Since the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program has been one of our more successful Energy Smart programs over the last year and a half, we are proud to be named a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year and look forward to continuing our partnerships for the benefit of our customers."

Energy Smart is a comprehensive program that seeks to grow the energy efficiency market in New Orleans. Since its establishment in 2011, the program - which is the first of its kind in Louisiana - has exceeded its energy savings goals by launching a number of initiatives that help New Orleans residents make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes and businesses. The Energy Smart program was developed by the New Orleans City Council and is administered by Entergy New Orleans.

To learn details about the Energy Smart programs, call toll-free (866) 721-0249 or visit the website at EnergySmartNOLA.com.

distributed by