The Alliance to Save Energy announced its 2008 “Stars of Energy Efficiency” award winners, selected from among a record-setting 100 nominees. The Alliance’s Dinner and Awards Committee, comprised of experts in the energy-efficiency field, reviewed the nominations against published criteria and selected seven winners. They represent a diverse and impressive roster of individuals, companies, and government entities working to advance energy efficiency in noteworthy and creative ways.

This year’s “Stars of Energy Efficiency” awardees are global technology firm United Technologies Corp.; tankless water heater manufacturer Rinnai Corp.; the York County, Va., School Division; and Embraco, a worldwide company noted for state-of-the-art, high-efficiency refrigeration compressor technology. Jupiter Oxygen Corp., an oxy-fuel combustion innovator, was selected as the first recipient of the Alliance’s new Innovative Award. Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Jon Wellinghoff was named the winner of the Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service for his outstanding public sector service and lifetime commitment to energy efficiency. And, finally, Philips Electronics was chosen by Alliance Honorary Board Chair Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) for the Chairman’s Award.

All awards will be presented at the Alliance’s 16th annual Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency black-tie gala and awards dinner on Thursday, September 25, 2008, at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

“The Alliance to Save Energy commends this year’s stellar lineup of awardees for their significant contributions to energy efficiency,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “Their leadership, innovation, and unflagging dedication truly make them ‘Stars of Energy Efficiency.’ Today’s rising and often record energy costs are squeezing consumer, government, and company budgets alike, making this an ideal time to celebrate those working to advance energy efficiency.”

Information on each award winner is provided below. For additional details on each award, please see longer version of this release.

United Technologies Corporation (UTC): Since 1991, UTC has exceeded its own ambitious environmental goals, for example by reducing its own energy use by 20 percent in the past 10 years. UTC also aims to invest $100 million from 2007 to 2010 in energy conservation projects, including co-generation systems, and, by 2020,

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12 percent and water use by 10 percent. Richard Bennett, UTC vice president, environmental health and safety, noted, “At UTC, we have focused on energy conservation both in our own operations and for UTC products in use around the world, and we’re pleased to be recognized for our results. There is always still work to be done, but recognition along the way is a source of pride for the corporation and its 225,000 employees worldwide, who invent and implement changes and help us achieve our aggressive goals.”

Rinnai Corporation: For more than 30 years, Rinnai has been a leader in energy-efficient innovative gas appliance technologies. Rinnai was instrumental in the U.S. Department of Energy’s February 2007 decision to establish an ENERGY STAR program for residential water heating – at the time, the only major residential energy end use without such a designation. In January 2008, Rinnai launched the industry’s first line of residential and commercial high-output, high-efficiency tankless water heaters and the first Tankless Heating System that delivers on-demand, comfortable heat using the same source for household hot water and space heating.