It’s Long Island’s Turn to Choose the First “ENERGY STAR(r) Idol”

View The 9 Finalists and Vote at www.lipower.org

Uniondale, NY-April 3, 2007-The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is pleased to announce that the “ENERGY STAR(r) Idols” Talent Search auditions have been completed, and 9 finalists have been chosen. Now it’s up to Long Island to discover the Top 3 “ENERGY STAR(r) Idols”.

On Saturday March 31st, at the Uniondale Marriot, the final auditions were held. Long Island’s own American Idol Kevin Covais performed to the delight of the gathered contestants and spectators.  The 30 semi-finalist performed for a panel of 5 judges and after some very difficult and heart-felt deliberation the judges cast their votes for
the 9 finalists.

Over the past several months many of Long Island’s talented youth worked hard to put on their best show. Now they’re counting on your vote. Starting Tuesday April 3rd, through Friday, April 13th the 9 finalists and their videos can be viewed on LIPA’s Web site www.lipower.org.  You can log-on and vote for your favorite “Energy Star Idol” in each age category.

“This contest has been a great success for LIPA and the children of Long Island,” said LIPA President and CEO Richard M. Kessel. “Today’s young people hold the answers for Long Island’s future and the “Energy Star Idols contest has helped to focus them and their families on the importance of using electricity wisely.”

The “ENERGY STAR(r) Idols” Talent Search represents a unique partnership to educate youngsters about the environmental and economic benefits of energy efficiency. LIPA, Long Island’s very own NHL team the New York
Islanders and Long Island’s American Idol Kevin Covais have been searching for Long Island children between 5- 18 to win over the judges with their version of the song “I am an ENERGY STAR.”

The contest was officially launched on November 21, 2006. and over 600 youngsters  participated at select locations across Long Island or by submitting a video of their performance.

Winners of the “I am an Energy Star” contest will be announced in late April. The winners will appear in LIPA’s upcoming energy efficiency advertising campaign, sing the National Anthem at a NY Islanders game, and will also receive an Energy Star-rated Apple laptop computer.

To vote for your favorite Energy Star contestant or to learn more about electric efficiency, visit LIPA’s Web site at, www.lipower.org/cei. Or call 1877-ESTARLI. (1-877-378-2754).

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric utility, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.  LIPA is the 3rd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of customers served and the 6th largest in terms of electricity delivered.  In 2006, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State in all three major reliability categories.  LIPA does not provide
natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: www.lipower.org.

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LIPA Contact Information:
Media Relations: (516) 719-9892
Media Pager: (516) 525-LIPA
media.relations@lipower.org

LIPA News Center
http://www.lipower.org/newscenter

LIPA CEI
http://www.lipower.org/cei