U.S. Companies` Continued Investments in Energy Efficiency Good For Business, Say Corporate Execs on Capitol Hill Panel

Green Initiatives Curb Carbon Emissions, Create Jobs, Help Sustain Planet
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
U.S. companies are continuing to invest in energy efficiency and to incorporate
sustainable practices that will lower their future carbon emissions while
creating jobs and helping their own bottom lines, corporate executives told a
Capitol Hill gathering today. These measures are part of the companies` overall
efforts to help the nation regain its economic footing, according to executives
and energy efficiency advocates addressing the topic, Corporate Sustainability,
The Environment and Economic Recovery - Investing for the Future. The panel
discussion was sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and the Committee for
Economic Development (CED).

Panelists included Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.)of the House Renewable Energy and
Energy Efficiency Caucus and an Alliance Board honorary vice-chair; Rep. Steve
Israel (D-N.Y.)of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and also an
Alliance honorary vice-chair; David Gardiner, senior advisor with the UN
Foundation Energy Coalition; Charlene Lake, AT&T Chief Sustainability Officer;
Curtis Etherly, vice president of public affairs for Coca-Cola
Enterprises;Alliance President Kateri Callahan; and CED President Charles Kolb.

The panelists discussed the innovative approaches that leading companies are
taking to incorporate eco-friendly policies that save energy, lower energy waste
and create new jobs while contributing to economic and environmental
sustainability for years to come.

"As we all work towards a sustainable, healthy economy, it is clear that
cost-effective energy efficiency measures are the keys to both improving a
company`s bottom line and reducing its carbon footprint," said Callahan.
"Today`s discussion leaves no doubt that lowering energy use and costs are
winning strategies for business and for the planet. We commend the companies
represented here for their efforts towards long-term sustainability."

"CED is dedicated to promoting sustained economic growth and development to
benefit all Americans," said CED President, Charlie Kolb. "The companies here
today have shown great leadership in their commitment to investing in green
initiatives, and we will continue to see more jobs created as a result."

"AT&T has long been committed to social progress, economic growth and
environmental stewardship, with a long history of strengthening the communities
in which we live and work," said Charlene Lake. "We are working to minimize our
own environmental impact and are providing our customers with products and
services that enable them to minimize their own environmental impacts."

"At Coca-Cola Enterprises, we`ve fully integrated Corporate Responsibility and
Sustainability into our business," said Etherly. "Particularly in our
environmental focus areas of water stewardship, energy conservation/climate
change, and sustainable packaging/recycling, we are investing in technology that
will help us capture operational efficiencies, drive effectiveness and eliminate
waste, while simultaneously protecting the environment."

About CED

The Committee for Economic Development (CED) is an independent, nonpartisan
organization of senior corporate executives and university leaders dedicated to
policy research on the major economic and social issues of our time and the
implementation of its recommendations by the public and private sectors.

About the Alliance

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, the economy, and
national security.

CED
Maura O`Connor, 202-572-6252
moconnor@dcgpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009