ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lime Energy
(Nasdaq: LIME) today announced it recently completed an energy efficiency
retrofit project for the Sullivan Automotive Group at Pacific Volkswagen in
Hawthorne, California. The project included a complete redesign and
replacement of the lighting in the office and shop areas.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081203/AQW546)
"We have truly, just begun," said Mike Sullivan, President and Owner of
LAcarGUY.com/Sullivan Automotive Group. "We are so excited about taking a
relatively wasteful industry into a very progressive approach. Whether it is
the shop retrofit, light sensors, building with renewable products at the new
body shop, or solar panels on my house, we are on a path to saving as much
energy as we can."
The new lighting design is projected to save over $10,000 per year in
electricity costs and lighting maintenance. Overall, the project is expected
to pay for itself in less than three years, for a first year return on
investment of over 38%. In addition to the hard dollar savings, the permanent
reduction of 65,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity saved provides the following
environmental benefits each year:
-- 117,000 pounds of Carbon Dioxide
-- the leading cause of Global Warming
-- 1,491 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide
-- the leading cause of Acid Rain
-- 502 pounds of Nitric Dioxide
-- the leading cause of Smog and Acid Precipitation
-- 10 passenger cars removed from the road this year.
According to Chris Hirt, Service Shop Foreman at Pacific Volkswagen, "The
new retrofit makes the shop atmosphere more inviting, adding brightness to
help us work more effectively and efficiently. Another way we now save energy
is by turning on the lights one-at-a-time as we need them. Before the Lime
Energy retrofit, all the shop lights were on all the time."
"This project is another example of saving energy in the automotive sector
where the benefits are more than simply a good return on investment. In this
economy, dealerships need to cut costs and improve service," said Dan Parke,
President and COO of Lime Energy. "We applaud Mike Sullivan and his team
while they work out the best way to provide an attractive facility for
customers and employees; while at the same time, producing environmental
benefits through energy efficiency."
About Sullivan Automotive Group
Sullivan Automotive Group is also known as LAcarGuy.com, and offers
automotive products and services to our greater Los Angeles area customers.
The company carries a comprehensive line of vehicles by Toyota, Scion, Audi,
Volkswagen, Lexus and Porsche, providing new and used cars, along with trusted
car repair, original car parts, and financing. Sullivan sells the
Volkswagen's Jetta TDI, named at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show as the Green
Car of the Year, beating out four other vehicles -- including two hybrids.
About Lime Energy Co.
Lime Energy is a leading provider of energy efficiency solutions that
enable our clients to reduce their energy-related expenditures and the impact
of their energy use on the environment. Our clients include commercial and
industrial businesses, property owners and managers and energy service
companies serving government and educational institutions. Our core Energy
Efficiency Services business provides energy engineering and consulting
services as well as the development and implementation of energy efficiency
lighting upgrade services, mechanical and electrical conservation services,
water conservation services and renewable energy solutions. Through our Energy
Technology business, we also offer a proprietary line of intelligent
controllers that provide continuous management of HVAC and lighting equipment
using wireless communication technology in order to reduce energy usage and
improve system reliability. The company's stock is traded on NASDAQ under the
symbol LIME. Additional information is available at the company's website at
http://www.lime-energy.com or by calling 847-437-1666.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 including statements that reflect Lime Energy's current expectations
about its future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. Lime
Energy has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words
and phrases such as "may," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends,"
"estimates," "plan," "should," "typical," "preliminary," "hope," or similar
expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information
currently available to Lime Energy and are subject to a number of risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause Lime Energy's actual results,
performance, prospects or opportunities in 2008 and beyond to differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking
statements. These risks are referenced in Lime Energy's current Annual Report
on form 10-K or as may be described from time to time in Lime Energy's
subsequent SEC filings; and such factors as incorporated by reference.
### Contacts ###
Media Relations Investor Relations
Carol Tong Glen Akselrod
Bite Communications Bristol Capital Ltd.
(415) 365-0396 (905) 326-1888
carol.tong@bitepr.com glen@bristolir.com
