Verizon Wireless Pineville, North Carolina, Communications Store Awarded Energy Star® Rating From EPA

PINEVILLE, NC — The Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Pineville, North Carolina is among the first wireless retail stores to rate in the top 25 percent of commercial facilities for energy efficiency and to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR®, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. The Pineville store is the 62nd Verizon Wireless retail store to receive the ENERGY STAR® certification, the most of any wireless retailer.

“More than ever, sustainability is a priority for consumers and businesses,” said Jerry Fountain, president for Verizon Wireless Carolinas/Tennessee region. “Environmental stewardship is ingrained in Verizon’s heritage, and the company prides itself on having a positive influence on the environment in which it operates.”

The Communications Store located at 9813 South Blvd in Pineville uses all ENERGY STAR® equipment and replaced incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps and high intensity discharge bulbs. In addition, the store’s exterior lighting and signage use photocells, powered by the intensity of natural light.

Additional energy-saving initiatives included calibrating thermostats, optimizing start up time and equipment sequencing, limiting after hours control usage and adjusting ventilation to reduce the loss of heated or cooled air.

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 and occupies 5,000 square feet or more is eligible for the ENERGY STAR. Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The EPA’s ENERGY STAR is yet another recognition of Verizon Wireless’ ongoing commitment to environmentally friendly Green practices. In 2008, Verizon Wireless was the only wireless carrier named to IDG Computerworld's first-ever list of top Green-IT Companies. Research firm Frost & Sullivan also awarded the company with its 2008 Green Excellence of the Year Award in the Corporate Leadership category for the telecom services industry.

In addition, Verizon Wireless helps the environment and survivors of domestic violence through its HopeLine® program. Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment from any wireless service provider. Through HopeLine's recycling efforts, more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills. Since October of 2001 when Verizon Wireless launched its national recycling program, 1.6 million phones have been properly disposed of in an environmentally sound way through the HopeLine program and more than 170,000 pounds of batteries were recycled through the HopeLine and Call2Recycle™ programs.

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

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit 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 the 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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