The store ranks in the top 25 percent of commercial facilities for energy efficiency

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Panorama City, California is among the first wireless retail stores to rate in the top 25 percent of commercial facilities for energy efficiency and earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) ENERGY STAR(R), the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection.

"The changes we have implemented in our stores are significant because they impact our business, the environment and our ability to provide customers with an industry-leading experience," said John Palmer, region president of Verizon Wireless. "By being more energy efficient, we can keep operating costs down and redirect those resources to improve the customer experience."

The Communications Store -- located at 8300 Van Nuys Boulevard -- installed light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs and replaced incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps. The stores also feature an insulated water heater to reduce heating costs, and properly sealed building "envelopes" and entry doors to prevent the loss of heated or cooled air.

The EPA's national energy performance rating system provides a 1-to-100 point scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher and occupies 5,000 square feet or more, is eligible for the ENERGY STAR. Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The EPA's ENERGY STAR is yet another recognition of Verizon Wireless' ongoing commitment to environmentally friendly practices. In 2008, Verizon Wireless was the only wireless carrier named to IDG Computerworld's first-ever list of top Green-IT Companies for 2008.

In addition, Verizon Wireless helps the environment and survivors of domestic violence through HopeLine. HopeLine is a program exclusive to Verizon Wireless that collects no-longer-used wireless phones and equipment from any service provider. The used phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to non-profit domestic violence agencies for use by survivors. Through HopeLine more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills. Since October of 2001 when HopeLine was launched nationally:

    --  More than 1 million phones have been properly disposed of in an
        environmentally sound way through the HopeLine program.
    --  More than 170,000 pounds of batteries were recycled through the HopeLine
        and Call2Recycle(TM) programs.

For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 70.8 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 71,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About The EPA's ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. For more information about ENERGY STAR visit www.energystar.gov.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless