Verizon's Fleet in New York State Gets Greener With Introduction of 40 Hybrid Sedans

Verizon's Fleet in New York State Gets Greener With Introduction of 40 Hybrid
Sedans
Company's Use of More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Across the Country Will Reduce
Greenhouse-Gas Emissions by an Estimated 263 Metric Tons and Conserve Nearly
30,000 Gallons of Fuel

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- More environmentally-friendly Verizon
sedans are now on the road in New York state. Forty hybrid sedans will
replace traditional gasoline-powered vehicles in Verizon's local fleet, for an
estimated annual reduction in carbon emissions of 105 metric tons. Verizon is
rolling out 100 new hybrid sedans in metropolitan areas across the country.
With engines that run on gasoline and electricity, hybrids are more fuel-
efficient than vehicles equipped with traditional engines. The Toyota Prius
sedans being added to Verizon's fleet can travel nearly double the miles per
gallon and emit less than half of the carbon of most traditional sedans.
"Verizon is demonstrating progressive corporate leadership by
participating in New York's sustainable energy and environmental initiatives
with the addition of these new hybrid vehicles," said Paul DeCotis, New York
State deputy secretary for energy. "Every contribution - big or small - helps
to make a difference in our communities and our world. This is another
example of a leading corporation thinking globally and acting locally."
Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut,
added, "This will reduce the amount of CO2 emitted in New York and serves as
another example of Verizon's continued commitment to reducing the
environmental impact of our offices, our plants and our fleet."
Paul D. Tonko, president and chief executive officer of the New York State
Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), said, "I applaud
Verizon's commitment to 'going green.' Verizon's hybrid vehicles program is a
model for other corporations to emulate and will help decrease our dependence
on fossil fuels, assist in minimizing air pollution, and reduce our state's
carbon footprint."
Last year, Verizon began using 13 specially-designed service vans with
environmentally friendly hybrid-engine systems in Maryland and Texas. No
domestic motor vehicle manufacturer currently makes hybrid vehicles in the
"van" category, so Verizon worked closely with a company that specializes in
hybrid-power systems, and it retrofitted the new vehicles to Verizon's
specifications. The 100 new hybrid sedans will annually reduce greenhouse-gas
emissions by an estimated 263 metric tons and conserve nearly 30,000 gallons
of fuel.
In 2006, Verizon reduced the greenhouse-gas emissions of its operations by
more than 334,000 metric tons, about the same as keeping more than 72,000 cars
off the roads for a year. Verizon's commitment to green energy practices
includes pursuing network equipment and building energy-reduction initiatives;
using alternative energy sources in the network, buildings and vehicle fleet;
and promoting the company's technology as an alternative to travel, among
other efforts. In 2006 alone, Verizon processed about 70 million consumer
bills online, sparing approximately 6,000 trees by reducing the amount of
paper used.
Verizon's dedication also can be found in the Long Island community of
Garden City where Verizon operates the largest fuel cell project of its kind
in the country, using environmentally friendly devices to supply electric
power to a large call-switching center and office building. The fuel cells
work year-round, together with the existing commercial power grid and existing
Verizon backup power, to meet any set of operational needs, including
electrical backup for commercial power outages, natural disasters and periods
of peak commercial power demands.
Other examples are in New Jersey and Texas, where Verizon has trialed the
use of 20 percent bio-diesel fuel to power service vehicles. The fuel is a
domestic, renewable resource that is biodegradable, nontoxic and is projected
to reduce greenhouse gases. Also in those two states, Verizon has been using
environmentally friendly lubricants made from vegetable oils as part of the
process to cut sections of fiber-optic cable where the company is installing
and maintaining its digital all-fiber-optic FiOS services. These lubricants
are far more biodegradable than the traditional versions.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a
leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication
innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.
Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving
63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include
Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to
customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the
benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services
over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company,
Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated
consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more
information, visit www.verizon.com.
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SOURCE Verizon

Heather Wilner of Verizon, +1-212-321-8333, heather.b.wilner@verizon.com