The Alliance to Save Energy's 25th Anniversary Awards Gala will honor outstanding contributions to the field of energy efficiency today in Washington, D.C., at a black-tie dinner in the atrium of the Ronald Reagan Building. As the Co-Chairman of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN) was asked by the Alliance to present an award to Sears, Roebuck and Co. for its advancements in the area of energy efficiency.

The Alliance's 2002 "Stars of Energy Efficiency" are Consumer Reports/Consumers Union, Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Amory Lovins,. In addition, the Alliance's prestigious Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service will go to the federal government's Energy Star Program, the symbol for energy-efficient products.

"This year's award winners represent the very best of the public and private sectors," observed Alliance President David M. Nemtzow, "demonstrating that every part of our society has a critical role to play and a contribution to make toward greater energy efficiency. Participants in the Alliance's recent consumer focus groups consistently cited Consumer Reports as an indispensable source of trustworthy information that helps them make educated buying decisions and to factor energy efficiency into those decisions," Nemtzow added.

The Energy Star Program exemplifies effective public-private cooperation. In the decade since the program's inception, more than 750 million energy-efficient products have been purchased, and thousands of companies have adopted energy-efficient practices. Last year alone, Energy Star helped save enough energy to power 10 million homes and cut air pollution by the equivalent of removing 10 million cars from the road. At the same time, Americans saved $5 billion on their energy bills, with no sacrifice of product features, quality, or personal comfort.

 Because of Sears' extensive relationship with its customers - more than 60 million households - Sears has effective channels to deliver both products that are energy-efficient and messages about the benefits of energy conservation. "Sears has made a multi-year commitment to energy-efficient appliances, because it's good for the customer, good for the environment, and good for business," said Tina Settecase, vice president and general manager of appliances for Sears, Roebuck and Co. "Only Sears offers 250 Energy Star appliance models. We are determined to be the best place to shop not only for energy-efficient appliances, but for appliances in general."

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.