Greenbuild Booth #530
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OSRAM SYLVANIA SUPPORTS THE CLINTON CLIMATE INITIATIVE
Lighting Leader Joins Former President’s Large Building Retrofit Program

Chicago, Ill. ( Nov. 7, 2007) – Today at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Seattle, former U.S. president Bill Clinton announced OSRAM SYLVANIA, the North American lighting leader, as one of the newest participants of the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI).  CCI’s Large Building Retrofit Program, with the help of energy efficient lighting systems, will significantly reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions globally beginning with 40 of the world’s leading cities.

Energy consumption for lighting in U.S. commercial buildings is estimated to be about 22 percent of the total electricity generated.  In the United States, 50 percent of energy-producing power plants burn coal, a fossil fuel, to create electricity, releasing carbon dioxide – a primary greenhouse gas – into the air. Another 20 percent burn other fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. By using less electricity, buildings can reduce their greenhouse gas contribution – which currently stands at about 40 percent of global emissions worldwide.  By working with involved mayors and other municipal authorities, OSRAM SYLVANIA will help transform existing light sources in city buildings to complete, more efficient and less energy consuming systems. 

According to the Clinton Climate Initiative, “The Energy Efficiency Building
Retrofit Program will provide both cities and their private building owners with access to the necessary funds to retrofit existing buildings with more energy efficient products, typically leading to energy savings between 20 to 50 percent.”

Advanced lighting technologies can significantly improve the energy efficiency of lighting, while reducing building energy consumption and costs.  OSRAM SYLVANIA offers optimal lighting design and energy performance with The SYSTEM SOLUTIONâ concept, a wide variety of innovative energy-efficient SYLVANIA lamps and ballasts.  By coupling lamp and ballast development as one solution, OSRAM SYLVANIA has been able to design SYLVANIA lighting systems that optimize energy savings without sacrificing other elements of performance.

“Since the introduction of the SYLVANIA OCTRONâ fluorescent lamp family and our ECOLOGIC energy-saving electronic ballasts, we have helped save more than 267 billion kWh, which is enough energy to run the Las Vegas strip for 156 years – over $26 billion in electricity costs,” commented Jennifer Dolin, OSRAM SYLVANIA environmental marketing manager.  “OSRAM SYLVANIA has been dedicated to promoting energy-efficiency for over 20 years and joining forces with CCI just furthers our extensive experience.”

 “We are very proud to be a supporter of former president Clinton’s Climate Initiative,” commented Charlie Jerabek, president and CEO of OSRAM SYLVANIA.  “Replacing the lighting systems in buildings is a very simple, efficient way to help cities around the nation and the world reduce their carbon footprints.”

Siemens, OSRAM SYLVANIA’s corporate parent company, is already a member of the CCI’s Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, first announced in May, 2007.  Today’s announcement further consolidates Siemens’ commitment to the
Clinton Climate Initiative’s Large Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) – a group of the world’s 40 most significant cities that have pledged to tackle climate change.  

“Climate change is a global problem that requires local action,” said President Clinton. “The businesses, banks and cities partnering with my foundation are addressing the issue of global warming because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's good for their bottom line. They're going to save money, make money, create jobs and have a tremendous collective impact on climate change all at once. I'm proud of them for showing leadership on the critical issue of climate change and I thank them for their commitment to this new initiative.”

About the Clinton Climate Initiative:
Building on his long-term commitment to preserving the environment, President Clinton launched the Clinton Foundation's Climate Initiative in August 2006 with the mission of applying the Foundation's business-oriented approach to the fight against climate change in practical, measurable, and significant ways. In its first phase, CCI is working with the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group to accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CCI team members have visited nearly all of these cities and are working with them to define projects and take action.  The Large Cities Climate Leadership Group is comprised of the following North American cities: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Toronto. 

For more information on the Clinton Climate Initiative and the Clinton Foundation, please visit www.ClintonFoundation.org