ISO New England today unveiled its first group of "Efficiency Achievers" as part of the Take Charge New England energy awareness campaign. At a time when New England's electricity consumption has been growing steadily each year, ISO New England is recognizing large power users that have achieved significant reductions in electricity use as good examples for businesses and institutions to follow. ISO is also acknowledging organizations that help others be more energy smart.

ISO New England, the non-profit operator of the region's bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets, is targeting both residential and business users with the message that more efficient practices help conserve our electricity resources, while also cutting costs at home and in the workplace. ISO New England is promoting the idea that consumers have the ability to make a difference for themselves and the region and that just a few simple, but effective steps can have an impact. Information about the campaign, as well as tips for consumers and businesses are available at www.takecharge-ne.org

The first Take Charge "Efficiency Achievers"�listed below�illustrate the kind of dramatic results that can be achieved when organizations embrace smart policies on energy efficiency.

Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center
Located in Somerville, Massachusetts, this became New England's first public school constructed under national Leadership in Energy Efficient Design standards in 2002. Funding for the efficiency measures came from the state's Renewable Energy Trust, which is managed by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Classroom skylights, clerestory windows and light shelves are among the design features that have helped the city save $60,000 a year on energy costs. Additionally, positive messages about renewable energy are instilled in its students and a small wind turbine has been installed as an educational tool.

Harbor Group International LLC
The owner and operator of State House Square in Hartford, Connecticut has cut its annual electric bill on the office and retail complex by more than $200,000 according to the Hartford Courant. How? Through modern lighting systems, more efficient air circulation equipment and turning escalators off after 7 PM, among other measures. By investing $250,000�with roughly $100,000 of this reimbursable through utility incentive programs�Harbor Group has realized a 14 percent reduction in total electricity use. The building has also received designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program.

Genzyme Corp.
The company's world headquarters in Cambridge, Mass.�Genzyme Center�a 12-story, 350,000- square-foot facility devoted to biomedical research and innovation. The building's energy efficiency results from the use of extensive natural light, concrete construction, the use of waste steam from a nearby power plant for cooling and heating, and an insulating second layer of glass covering one-third of the exterior. The building's energy costs were estimated to be 42 percent less than those of a conventional building of comparable dimensions.

Raytheon Company
An Energy Star partner since 1999, Raytheon was recognized in 2003 with a Leadership in Energy Management award. All of Raytheon's contractors and suppliers, in addition to its more than 80,000 employees, participate in the Raytheon Energy Action Program (REAP) to reduce energy consumption at the company's 200 worldwide locations. The company has employed full-time energy engineers for the past 10 years to manage Raytheon's energy portfolio. And it created a network of "Energy Champions" to make sure equipment is shut down when not in use for production. The company's northeast locations have realized a better than 25 percent reduction in energy use because of more efficient lighting, HVAC, office equipment and other improvements.

Sun Microsystems
Engineers and other staff at the company's campus in Burlington, Mass. played a vital role in development of Sun's UltraSPARC� T1 processor�designed specifically for energy efficiency in Web servers while delivering state-of-the-art high performance. Last November, California-based Sun said researchers had found that UltraSPARC processors could help cut the number of global Web servers in half, slashing energy use considerably. In February, 2006, the company issued a challenge to the entire Information Technology industry to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Star to improve energy efficiency in all data center Web servers. Sun notes that with the number of Web users projected to grow by 300 million annually, even small improvements in server efficiency can create enormous energy savings. This August, PG&E, a large California utility company, started offering Sun Fire T1000 and T2000 customers the first-ever energy rebate for servers.

Adriaen's Landing
Since its inception, this 30-acre waterfront development in Hartford, Connecticut began incorporating best practices for energy savings. At the recommendation of energy consultant SourceOne Inc., the Capital City Economic Development Authority (CCEDA) opted to build a central utility plant, with hybrid chilled water operations that use natural gas or oil. The plant provides reliable power to two major components of the project, the Connecticut Convention Center and the Downtown Marriott Hotel, without relying solely on bulk power system resources. The CCEDA and Adriaen's Landing receive daily analysis and recommendations from SourceOne regarding which commodity to use on which day to power its utility plant.

Cambridge Savings Bank
Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB) is a full-service financial institution with more than $2 billion in assets. CSB has improved the energy efficiency of its 15-bank branch and office buildings by approximately 20 percent. Energy efficiency improvements have included lighting upgrades for several facilities, major upgrades at others, and adoption of high efficiency designs and technology such as a photovoltaic system and a thermal well for cooling and heating in new construction. CSB has been recognized by the EPA as an Energy Star Leader and many of its buildings have received an Energy Star designation. CSB has enjoyed annual energy cost savings of about $60,000 since implementing its energy program in 2001.

Since launching the Take Charge New England campaign, ISO New England has partnered with several companies and organizations to help carry the energy awareness message to consumers and industry. These partners include Clear Channel Outdoor, RCN Corporation, Lowe's Home Improvement stores, Energy Star, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Northeast EnergyEfficient Partnerships, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. All information concerning the campaign, as well as promotions for energy efficient products and services, are available at the Take Charge New England web site at www.takecharge-ne.org.

Since 1997, ISO New England Inc. has been the not-for-profit corporation responsible for the day-to-day reliable operation of New England's bulk power generation and transmission system with an installed capacity of 32,000 megawatts; oversight and fair administration of the region's $10 billion wholesale electricity marketplace, comprised of more than 280 market participants; and management of a comprehensive regional bulk power system planning process.