MANITOWOC,Wis., July 29, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex:OESX) has been recognized by one of the world's largest environmental services companies for the power technology enterprise's exceptional commitment to the environment as demonstrated by its technology, thought leadership, and internal practices.
Amy Paikowski from Veolia Environmental Services North America presented Orion's Chairman and CEO Neal Verfuerth with the environmental award during a special presentation at the company's technology center in Manitowoc, Wis. Veolia Environmental Services has more than 313,000 employees in 74 countries.
"It's an honor to accept this award from one of the world's leading authorities on environmental services," Verfuerth said. "We share Veolia's vision for a cleaner environment, but understand that for commercial and industrial businesses, the economics have to make sense to be sustainable. The technology we're deploying today is delivering permanent distributed load reductions at the point of use, saving customers millions of dollars and eliminating the expensive utility infrastructure and transmission costs that are associated with traditional sources of electricity."
Orion's technology has reduced energy consumption by 11.1 billion kilowatt-hours since 2001, saving more than $856 million in energy costs, and displacing from the atmosphere 7.3 million tons of carbon dioxide — the air-scrubbing equivalent of a 2 million-acre forest.
Orion's state-of-the-art technology center, which serves as the company's world headquarters and research and development hub, is a national destination for business leaders, civic groups and students to learn about energy efficiency and the technology available today and in the future to help reduce energy consumption.
Since July 2007, and through Veolia, Orion has recycled 200,000 pounds of ballasts and capacitors, 60,000 high-intensity discharge lamps, and 1 million feet of lamps — the approximate distance between New York City and Baltimore, Md. Veolia has performed recycling services for Orion in 42 states.
"Orion's concerns over harmful emissions and environmental sustainability are reflected in the products they manufacture, and the way they position themselves for future growth," Paikowski said. "Their concern for reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment is carried through to the lamp and ballast recycling program they provide to their customers through Veolia. By providing this service Orion helps their customers to fulfill the 3 Rs of reduce, reuse, and recycle."
Orion's suite of products and services that deliver permanent distributed load reductions include its Compact Modular™ high-intensity fluorescent and LED high-bay series lighting platforms, InteLite® dynamic sensor and control systems, direct renewable Apollo® solar light pipes, Solyndra photovoltaic panels, and demand response services — all designed to save customers money, increase light levels, reduce load on the grid and decrease harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 5,612 facilities across North America, including 120 of the Fortune 500 companies. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 527 megawatts, saving customers more than $856 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 7.3 million tons.
Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex:OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers without compromising their operations. For more information, visit www.oesx.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.
Veolia ES Technical Solutions L.L.C., a subsidiary of Veolia Environmental Services North America Corp., provides a complete range of services for industrial and municipal customers needing to dispose of hazardous and regulated waste. Veolia ES Technical Solutions has 48 sales, service and treatment and disposal facilities conveniently located throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Capabilities include labor services on customers' sites, permitted and secure incineration, fuels blending, recycling of solvents and acids, lighting and electronic waste recycling, and low-level radioactive and mixed waste solutions. The company has 15 permitted Treatment Storage Disposal Facilities and 37 10-day in transit locations.
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