Washington, D.C., February 10, 2005 – The Alliance to Save Energy board elected Washington Gas Chairman and CEO James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr., as its new co-chair and re-elected Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) as chair. The Alliance also built on its founding principle of bipartisanship by electing two Republicans as vice-chairs – Reps. Ralph Hall of Texas, who ranks second in seniority on the House Energy and Commerce Committee behind Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas.), and Zach Wamp of Tennessee, co-chairman of the 228-member Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Caucus that works toward greater U.S. energy independence and energy technology growth. They join Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), and Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), who were re-elected as Alliance vice-chairs.

Sen. Dorgan noted, “These additions to the Alliance board will add a great deal of strength to our efforts to bring the energy-efficiency message to a wider audience, not only in the U.S. but also worldwide, and to use energy-efficiency technologies and smart energy practices to make significant reductions in our nation's energy use.”

Also joining the Alliance board are Robert J. Dixon, senior vice president and global head, energy services and solutions, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.; Bob Foster, president, Southern California Edison; and Geoffrey Hunt, senior vice president, communications and human resources, Osram Sylvania.

“We welcome our new board co-chair, vice-chairs, and members, whose creativity and commitment will help the Alliance achieve its ambitious “Vision 2010” energy-saving goals over the next five years,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

“Teaming up with the Alliance provides our industry with a unique opportunity to develop and promote meaningful initiatives related to energy supply and energy efficiency,” said DeGraffenreidt. Washington Gas provides natural gas service to approximately one million customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Mr. DeGraffenreidt has served on the Alliance Board since 1998.

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1980, Rep. Hall said he looks forward to helping the Alliance promote energy efficiency and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. “The first bill I passed when I came to Congress dealt with energy efficiency and conservation. We need to continue such efforts as part of a comprehensive national energy policy that puts America on course for greater energy independence,” he said.

Recognizing Wamp’s expertise in energy research, the environment, and complex issues of energy security, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) appointed him to the House Policy Committee in 2004. Noting the ubiquity of energy use, “from the household light bulb to industrial gas turbines,” Wamp expressed his eagerness “to serve on the Alliance board and continue promoting energy stewardship and increased investment in energy-efficiency technologies. We will work to make America cleaner, safer, and more independent.”

With more than 29 years of experience in building systems and energy conservation, Dixon directs all energy services and solutions for Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., which in the past eight years has implemented more than $1.3 billion in demand-side energy reduction projects. In the last four years, Siemens has implemented more than $3 billion of competitive energy procurement for customers. “Siemens shares the Alliance’s vision of promoting the continual development of energy-efficiency technologies and processes,” Dixon noted.

Foster joined Edison in 1984 after serving as deputy director for the California State Energy Resources Conservation Commission and chief consultant to the California State Senate Committee on Energy and Public Utilities. “I’ve been involved in energy efficiency for more than 30 years, and I am committed to assuring that energy efficiency is the first resource we turn to when we engage in resource planning,” Foster said. “Southern California Edison is committed not only to helping customers save energy and money, but also to helping protect and preserve the country’s precious natural resources.”

Hunt joined Osram Sylvania, maker of energy-efficient lighting products, in 1981. He served as vice president of human resources from 1994 and was named senior vice president of communications and human resources in 2002. In addition to corporate public relations, marketing communications, and brand development, he is responsible for employee and labor relations; compensation and benefits; staffing; training and development; safety and environment, and health services.