[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PUGET SOUND ENERGY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 2009

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
wonderful work being done by Puget Sound Energy. Located in Bellevue, 
Washington, they continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and 
promote energy efficiency through investment and smart ideas. I'm proud 
to represent this company in Congress.
  In late March, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, named Puget 
Sound Energy one of 89 ``Energy Star'' organizations across the 
country. Through its Residential New Construction ``Energy Star'' 
Lighting Program, Puget Sound Energy is working to increase demand for 
qualified lighting products in new, single-family homes. Beginning in 
2008, they doubled investment in partner outreach as part of an ongoing 
regional fixture program. Serving as the facilitator, 16,000 Energy 
Star fixtures and 39,000 Energy Star CFLs were installed in new homes, 
representing a 100 percent increase in energy savings from 2007.
  The work Puget Sound Energy is doing in Washington State is not only 
beneficial to our environment; it is also beneficial to the economy. 
Customers can take advantage of energy rebates for improving efficiency 
in their homes through the installation of new windows, doors and 
improved insulation, among other many other things. In 2008 alone, 
Puget Sound Energy customers collectively saved $30 million on energy 
bills and helped support more than 450 new ``green'' jobs.
  Utilizing green technology and improvements positively impacts our 
environment, our communities and--especially important during these 
tough days--our economy. The work Puget Sound Energy is doing in 
Washington is exactly the type of forward-thinking, reasonable work 
that businesses and individual Americans should strive for, and I 
congratulate them on their new classification as a leader in energy-
efficient technologies.

                          ____________________