GLOBAL ENERGY ISSUES FOCUS OF INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP AT HEADQUARTERS 1-2 FEBRUARY

31 January 2000


Press Release


GLOBAL ENERGY ISSUES FOCUS OF INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP AT HEADQUARTERS 1-2 FEBRUARY

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Global energy issues, emerging technologies, and power purchasing in the deregulated environment are the key topics for discussion and exploration at the United Nations Workshop on Energy Efficiency Global Competitiveness and Deregulation from 1 to 2 February at United Nations Headquarters. The two–day series of educational sessions, with presentations by a roster of experts representing both international and national organizations, will also include a special presentation by futurist David Pearce Snyder.

Teaming together to co-host this workshop, both the United Nations and the United States General Services Administration (GSA) are recognized for their efforts and interest on energy issues. Distinguished co-sponsors in the energy arena who have also joined in this initiative include: the United.States Department of Energy, Consolidated Edison, Inc., ConEdison Solutions, Enviro- Management & Research, Inc. and New Energy, Inc.

Concurrent workshops at the conference will follow two tracks. One track will concentrate on issues surrounding deregulation and the other on energy efficiency and clean energy. In addition to the workshops, 22 exhibitors representing energy organizations and power companies from the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Nations will have displays available. Participants attending the workshop are anticipated to include architects, engineers, energy managers, facilities managers, local and international energy policy makers, students, academics, non-governmental organizations and diplomatic personnel.

“The United Nations is pleased to host this Energy Workshop which highlights cooperative efforts by private business, governmental and non- governmental organizations and global policy makers”, according to Joseph E. Connor, Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Management on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

“The United Nations is committed to encouraging the production and delivery of energy in an environmentally responsible manner”, Mr. Connor added. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs provides advisory services to governments and technically supports energy projects at the field level. These services focus on increasing the supply of energy services in developing countries, particularly in rural areas, and managing the demand for

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energy, largely through energy efficiency efforts. The Energy Branch is the second largest implementer, after the World Bank, of climate change projects funded by the Global Environment Facility.

The United Nations is investigating the use of fuel cells, solar power and geothermal power for use at its facilities around the world. By installing energy-efficient equipment and lighting and improved operations and maintenance, United Nations Headquarters is already saving approximately 15 per cent in electric costs compared with 1995 levels. In the future, the United Nations expects to save an additional 30 per cent in electric and steam costs.

According to the Administrator of the General Services Administration, David Barram, "Federal employees are committed to helping President Clinton’s environmental initiatives. And, because we spend $3.5 billion a year for electricity, we're dedicated to getting positive results for the taxpayer. In fact, since 1985 GSA has reduced its utility bills by approximately 35 per cent. In addition, GSA's buildings continually outperform their industry counterparts in terms of utility costs, achieving a 27 per cent savings over the private sector. To further help, we created Planet GSA. Almost everything GSA employees are doing fits inside Planet GSA's 4 pillars -- Buy Green, Build Green, Drive Green and Save Green. Other agencies have joined us, and now GSA signs Memorandums of Agreement with our agency customers so every federal employee can participate. In fact, we are proud that the United Nations will sign a Planet GSA Cooperation Agreement during this Workshop."

The General Services Administration, the Federal government’s business manager, which operates an effective award winning energy and water management programme in over 8,000 Federal government buildings nationwide, is a recognized leader in energy conservation and, through its Planet GSA initiative, environmental causes. In fact, further supporting environmental initiatives, GSA Administrator Barram and United Nations Under-Secretary-General Connor will also have a formal signing of the Planet GSA Cooperation Agreement at 10:20 a.m. on 1 February.

Through strategic positioning and aggregating power contracts, GSA continuously provides other Federal agencies with unique and innovative ways to achieve their respective missions while conserving energy, protecting the environment and saving taxpayer dollars by procuring utilities that are both cost effective and environmentally responsible. The agency also plays a leadership role holding regular biennial workshops, such as this one co-hosted with the United Nations, on energy management, conservation and planning strategy for other state and local officials who have responsibilities for energy management. In addition, to save government travel money and to allow more Federal employees to participate in the opening session, portions of this programme will be satellite and Internet broadcast to Federal employees who have access to these technologies.

Con Edison, one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, returns for the third consecutive year as a co-sponsor of GSA's biennial energy workshops.

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"We support the event's focus on global energy issues, including emerging technologies and the deregulated environment", said Eugene R. McGrath, Con Edison's Chairman and Chief Executive officer. "Continuing this open dialog at the United Nations will help create greater worldwide awareness of these critical issues", Mr. McGrath said.

Con Edison provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through its subsidiaries. The largest of these is Con Edison of New York. Headquartered in Manhattan, this regulated utility company provides the nation’s most reliable electric service. The utility generates, transmits and distributes electricity and delivers natural gas to 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, a service area with a population or more than 8 million. It also supplies steam to about 2,000 commercial and residential buildings in Manhattan. In 1997, the utility’s electric, gas and steam operating revenues were 79.1 per cent, 15.4 per cent and 5.5 per cent, respectively, of its total operating revenues.

"The energy industry today has not been as exciting since the days of Thomas Edison”, said John Boyd, President and CEO of ConEdison Solutions. "All the old rules are changing, creating both new opportunities and risks. Information is increasingly the critical component in deregulated energy and the conference is an important step in bringing up to the minute information to key leaders in both private and public sectors."

ConEdison Solutions, a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the leading energy service providers in the north-eastern United States. In addition to energy resource management services that demonstrate a commitment to excellence regarding environmental, health and safety concerns, the company provides electricity and/or natural gas to customers in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Today, energy users worldwide are leveraging energy as a strategic resource where they once struggled with a financial and managerial nuisance. They are finding that integrated management and optimization of their energy portfolio is creating value and a sustainable competitive advantage. ConEdison Solutions helps customers extract value from the new reality of total energy resource management and has succeeded in areas as diverse as lighting, power interruption contingency, central utility plant design and operation, billing services, and energy optimization.

Other co-sponsors of this workshop include:

United States Department of Energy: The Department of Energy (DOE) is a leading science and technology agency whose research supports United States energy security, national security, environmental quality, and contributes to a better quality of life for all Americans. The DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) leads Federal energy efficiency efforts and helps Federal energy managers identify and procure the best, most cost-effective energy-saving projects. FEMP works to proactively overcome barriers and increase the number

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of quality Federal projects. In addition, FEMP develops effective partnerships among agencies, utilities, State and local governments, and the private sector to help implement effective energy and water efficiency programmes as well as renewable energy projects. FEMP programmes in energy efficiency also reduce pollution, stimulate jobs, and provide a leadership example for others.

NewEnergy, Inc: NewEnergy is America’s largest energy service provider, offering integrated energy solutions that promote savings through a full range of value-added products and services that optimize efficiency and maximize profitability. Its custom-tailored products and services include competitive electricity, information management, efficiency services, and i.gen sm on-site generation.

Enviro-Management & Research, Inc: Enviro-Management & Research, Inc. (EMR) was founded in 1970 to provide an array of engineering, energy, environmental, and management consulting services on a global basis. EMR’s mission is to provide comprehensive, integrated services and products that foster efficient and sustainable use of energy and environmental resources, with an emphasis on efficient design, construction, and management of facilities and operations worldwide. EMR is a leader in energy efficiency and engineering, facilities maintenance management, and building commissioning solutions for both private and public sector clients. The company combines its expertise in these disciplines to provide the most integrated, comprehensive money and energy saving solutions for a facility owners and managers.

The opening of the Energy Workshop on 1 February will be broadcast live on the internet from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the following address /energy2000

Contact for information: Bill Hass, United Nations Department of Public Information, (212) 963-0353.

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For information media. Not an official record.