| For the First Time, Texans in All Competitive Markets Can Now Buy Pollution Free Electricity at No Additional Cost Over What They are Paying Their Incumbent Utility |
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Austin, TX — December 8, 2004 — Green Mountain Energy Company, one of the nation's leading residential providers of cleaner electricity, announced today its introduction of a new product for Texas residential customers — Pollution Freesm electricity from Green Mountain Energy Company. This new electricity product is made from wind and water generation sources and is 100 percent pollution free. Additionally, the new Pollution Free product is priced at the local incumbent utility's "Price to Beat," so residential customers in Texas" competitive markets can now purchase clean, affordable electricity at no additional cost over the price charged by their local utility provider. "What many people don't realize is that electricity generation from coal-fired power plants is the leading cause of air pollution in the state of Texas in terms of carbon dioxide emissions," said John Savage, senior vice president of marketing for Green Mountain Energy Company. "As a matter of fact, in 2002 the state of Texas alone would have ranked as the seventh worst polluting country in the world in terms of carbon dioxide emissions from coal, behind countries like China, Russia and India. Now there's an affordable answer that is a step in the right direction to addressing this carbon dioxide pollution problem." Texas led the nation in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions from coal-fired power plants in 2003 — accounting for more than 254 million tons of C02 emissions, similar to adding an additional 44 million cars to Texas roads. Many Texas power plants consistently rank among the ten worst in terms of C02 and other emissions that contribute to smog, acid rain, global warming and other adverse environmental consequences, based on 2003 data from the EPA. Savage added, "We're proud to offer a product like this for the first time in all areas of Texas that are open to electric competition. Texans that live in an area where they can choose their electric provider can now choose a pollution-free option at no extra cost. Now there is no reason to continue paying TXU and Reliant to pollute the air we breathe. This is a great opportunity for consumers to make a conscientious decision without spending additional dollars. We've seen over and over again that when folks are informed and educated about these topics, they tend to make decisions that help them live healthier lifestyles and bode best for the future of Texas." In a recent survey commissioned by Green Mountain Energy Company and conducted by Copernicus Research in Newton, Mass., only five percent of Texas adults and two percent of Texas teens surveyed correctly identified electricity production as the leading cause of air pollution in the state. Additionally, nearly 98 percent of teens and adults surveyed agreed that renewable energy is a good idea for the future of Texas. The survey was conducted online in September of 2004 to 1,007 adults and 500 teens age 12-17 in Texas. Product Offerings Green Mountain Energy Company now offers two products to residential customers in Texas:
About Green Mountain Energy Company Founded in 1997 to "change the way power is made", Green Mountain Energy Company offers residential, business, institutional and governmental customers the choice to support cleaner electricity generated from sources such as wind, solar, water, geothermal, biomass and natural gas. Due to Green Mountain Energy Company's efforts, about 600,000 customers nationwide are purchasing electricity that is significantly less polluting than typical system power. The company is based in Austin, Texas. Green Mountain Energy® and the Green Mountain Energy logo are registered service marks of Green Mountain Energy Company. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. # # #
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