Verizon Extends Environmental Commitment by Joining California Climate Registry

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Communications has enrolled in the California Climate Action Registry, joining a distinguished group of organizations demonstrating leadership by voluntarily taking action on climate change. As a member, Verizon will work with the registry to annually track, report and certify the company's greenhouse gas emissions, the main drivers of global warming.

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of Verizon's principal environmental protection objectives. Since 1999, Verizon's real estate group has systematically encouraged employees across the company to adopt procedures for environmentally responsible and cost-effective energy use. Even as Verizon's network has grown over the past three years, the company has succeeded in curbing its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Verizon earned Energy Star certifications from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy for eight office buildings, and it received the 2002 Energy Star Award for Corporate Commitment. No other company in the telecommunications industry has earned as many Energy Star certifications as Verizon.

The registry, created by the California Legislature in 2000, helps companies and organizations throughout the United States to track, publicly report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The results are certified by independent third-parties to ensure compliance with registry protocols and standardization across participants and sectors. The registry has been widely recognized as a Gold standard for public reporting of greenhouse gases.

"Verizon is committed to improving life in the communities we serve," said Tim McCallion, Verizon's Pacific region president. "Tracking, reporting and certifying our greenhouse gas emissions through the California Registry is an extension of our ongoing commitment to improve life in the communities we serve through superior products and services and supporting philanthropic organizations."

Diane Wittenberg, president of the California Climate Action Registry, said, "Verizon has been tracking its greenhouse gas emissions for a number of years, but now they see the added value of certifying their GHG reductions in a credible, rigorous and transparent registry. We applaud Verizon for stepping up as a leader to take action on climate change."

Verizon Communications Inc. , a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

The California Climate Action Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions. Over 70 major companies, cities, government agencies and NGOs measure and publicly report their GHG emissions through the Registry. http://www.climateregistry.org/

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