ADVISORY/LA's ``Coolest Loser'' Refrigerator to Be Chosen from Finalists; Contest Highlights LADWP's Free Program to Recycle Spare, Energy-Guzzling Refrigerators.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...for Thursday (March 6)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 5, 2003

WHAT: Los Angeles' "Coolest Loser" -- refrigerator, that is -- will be selected from four finalists, culminating a contest to find the ugliest, most energy-guzzling extra working refrigerator in the city. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) with the support of radio station KFWB, the contest highlights LADWP's Refrigerator Retire Program, through which LADWP picks up residential customers' extra refrigerators for free, recycles them, and provides each participating resident with a six-pack of energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs (a $40 value). The contest winner will receive a new, energy-efficient 15-cubic-foot refrigerator, and runners-up will receive restaurant gift certificates. The event at The Grove will be open to the public, with information available on LADWP's energy efficiency and other Green LA programs designed to help residents save energy, lower their electric bills and improve the environment. WHEN: Thursday, March 6, 2003 at noon WHERE: The fountain area at The Grove, 189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90036 (off of Third Street; adjacent to Farmers Market) WHO: Scheduled contest judges (some of whom will speak at the event) include: -- Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry -- Lillian Kawasaki, LADWP Assistant General Manager of Environmental Affairs and Economic Development -- Tracie Savage, Anchor/Reporter, KFWB -- Marsha Penhaker, Deputy Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy -- Environmentalist John Quigley -- Gail Choice, Anchor of City View LA, Channel 35 -- Jim Kirwan, Representative of Arca Incorporated  -- Jennifer Gordon, Marketing Director of The Grove -- Patrick Cox, Whole Foods Assistant Store Manager -- Angelina Galiteva, LADWP Executive Director of Green LA VISUALS: The four "Coolest Loser" refrigerator finalists will be on display, as will various components of recycled refrigerators (like scrap metal). BACKGROUND: On average, an extra refrigerator costs more than $190 annually in electricity to operate. Each kilowatt-hour saved prevents one pound of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.