Verizon Wireless First Wireless Retailer Awarded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR®

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Two Verizon Wireless Communications Stores are among the first retail stores in the country to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR®, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. The Verizon Wireless Communications Stores are the first wireless retail stores and are two of only six retail locations nationwide to be awarded the 2008 ENERGY STAR.

“Energy-saving initiatives are not only good for the environment, they also make us a more efficient and customer-friendly company by helping us keep operating costs down and allowing us to redirect those resources to improving the customer experience,” said Jack Plating, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless. “That’s why we apply these principles across our business, from our store operations to our easy-to-use online Green Bill to our use of energy saving technologies in our offices and network facilities across the country.”

The Communications Stores, located in Omaha, Neb., and Toledo, Ohio, installed temperature sensors and energy management systems to monitor heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system use; control temperature set-points and internal and external lighting schedules; and track data usage history for maintenance and service requirements. The systems help Verizon Wireless save on energy costs by activating the ventilating, heating and lighting systems automatically based on the stores’ operating hours.

To further reduce energy usage, Verizon Wireless installed light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs and installed a microcontroller on vending machines. The stores also feature insulated water heaters to reduce heating costs and properly sealed building “envelopes” and entry doors to prevent the loss of heated or cooled air.

“We are pleased to see Verizon Wireless demonstrating environmental leadership by earning the ENERGY STAR for two of their stores,” said Anna Stark, national program manager, commercial property markets, Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA’s national energy performance rating system provides a 1 to 100 point scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the ENERGY STAR.

The EPA’s ENERGY STAR is yet another recognition of Verizon Wireless’ ongoing commitment to environmentally friendly “green” practices. In February, Verizon Wireless was the only wireless carrier named to IDG Computerworld’s first-ever list of top Green-IT Companies for 2008.

For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About The EPA’s ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. For more information about ENERGY STAR visit www.energystar.gov.

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