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July 29, 2008
Naperville, IL – Nicor Gas received the Southern Gas Association's (SGA) 2008 Environmental Excellence Technology Award for a lighting project that helps save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The SGA's Environmental Excellence Award was established in 2005 to recognize member companies who have made a significant impact in protecting the environment through utilization of innovative environmental practices. SGA award recipients were honored for programs and initiatives that help reduce waste, save money, and contribute to the industry's environmental protection efforts, as well as benefit the health and welfare of the nation.
"We are honored to receive this award. Nicor Gas is committed to the well-being of the communities we serve, and that commitment includes being a good steward of the environment. As one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies, we believe it is important to help preserve the natural resources we all share – today and for future generations," said Rocco D'Alessandro, Executive Vice President of Nicor Gas.
Nicor Gas has more than 40 reporting centers throughout northern Illinois, most of which were constructed during the 1960s and had lighting fixtures which were designed to hold and illuminate fluorescent bulbs known as T-12s. In 2005, Nicor Gas joined a local organization called Clean Air Counts (CAC), whose purpose is to help organizations decrease emissions in the greater Chicago region. In 2007, Nicor Gas in concert with CAC chose to pursue several emission reduction strategies, including the changing of higher emission light bulbs. Exchanging the existing T-12 bulbs with T-8 bulbs, which use less energy and produce more light, resulted in cleaner air for northern Illinois by reducing the amount of electricity used, thus reducing emissions as well.
It is important to note that the existing bulbs, T-12s, were about 1½ inches in diameter and the T-8 bulbs are about 1 inch in diameter. Nicor Gas changed not only the bulbs themselves but the sockets into which the bulbs are placed and the electronic ballasts, which sit on top of the fixture (above the ceiling and out of sight).
"It was well worth the effort of implementing these upgrades to our facilities as it not only helps the company save energy and costs, but these improvements also help preserve the environment which is beneficial to both Nicor Gas and our communities," said D'Alessandro.
By changing light bulbs, Nicor Gas has reduced greenhouse gas emissions that are equivalent to 158 passenger cars not driven for one year, 3.7 railcars of coal not burned, 1,693 barrels of oil not used, 18,663 seedlings grown for 10 years, and 607 acres of pine forest storing carbon for one year.
Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for over 50 years. The Company serves more than two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information on Nicor Gas, visit www.nicorgas.com. | 
