Chicago's Merchandise Mart Selects TAC for Clinton Climate Initiative Energy Savings Project.

DALLAS -- Chicago's Merchandise Mart, the largest commercial building in the world, has signed the first Project Development Agreement in the United States under the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI). Under the agreement, TAC will implement energy reduction initiatives as part of CCI's global Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing facilities.

"The businesses and building owners collaborating on energy-saving building retrofits are saving money, making money, creating new jobs, and fighting climate change, all at once. I am very pleased that my foundation has been able to accelerate these projects that reduce carbon emissions and increase the use and market for energy efficient technologies around the world," said President Bill Clinton. "Working together, we can save energy, reduce carbon emissions, strengthen the economy, and secure the future."

At 4.2 million square feet, 25 stories tall and spanning two city blocks in downtown Chicago, The Merchandise Mart is a historic landmark building awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED-EB) status from the United States Green Buildings Council in November 2007. The Energy Solutions division of TAC, a world leader in energy services, building automation and security, is currently working with The Merchandise Mart in the analysis, design and project development phase of a retrofit project that will implement a multitude of facility improvements and energy-saving measures through a performance contract. This turnkey method combines the design, construction, commissioning and performance measurement into one guaranteed fixed price. As the single provider of all aspects of the project, TAC will ensure facility efficiency, comfort, financial management and environmental protection.

"The changes we have implemented at The Merchandise Mart to achieve our LEED-EB status have not only led to cost savings, but also to a new culture and point of view that permeates throughout our organization," said Christopher G. Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. "By working with the Clinton Climate Initiative and TAC to achieve our energy saving goals, we will ensure that conserving resources continues to define our company and our way of life today."

"TAC is especially honored that The Merchandise Mart has chosen to partner with us for its ongoing efforts in sustainability to augment their LEED certification," stated Wes McDaniel, vice president of TAC Energy Solutions. "They are setting a tremendous example of environmental leadership for the city of Chicago."

About TAC

TAC is a leading provider of building automation solutions based on Open Integrated Systems for Building IT. TAC's mission is to provide added value through building environment services for indoor climate, security and use of energy, delivered with advanced technology to end users and property owners throughout the world. With over 80 years of experience in the HVAC, building automation and security arenas, TAC employs more than 7,500 people worldwide, with partners and branches in 80 countries. TAC's parent company, Schneider Electric, is the world's power and control specialist with 112,000 employees worldwide and operations in 190 countries.

About Merchandise Properties

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 tradeshows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 W. Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; the Boston Design Center in Boston; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington, D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

About Clinton Climate Initiative

Building on his long-term commitment to preserving the environment, President Clinton launched the Clinton Foundation's Climate Initiative in August 2006 with the mission of applying the Foundation's business-oriented approach to the fight against climate change in practical, measurable, and significant ways. In its first phase, CCI is working with the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group to accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CCI team members have visited nearly all of these cities and are working with them to define projects and take action.