EPA Recognizes BellSouth, Grubb and Ellis, and Hines for Energy Efficiency.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 2002

During a ceremony today in Atlanta, GA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 4 Administrator, Jimmy Palmer, presented BellSouth three ENERGY STAR(R) labels for their buildings in Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN and Birmingham, AL.

Additionally, Monarch Centre, a building managed by Grubb and Ellis and owned by Lend Lease, and three buildings managed by Hines and owned by GE Asset Management received the ENERGY STAR designation. The buildings represent four and one-half million square feet of office space that cost 40 percent less to operate that their peers. The energy savings from these buildings reduce pollution equivalent to that of 6,300 cars each year.

In speaking of the awards, Mr. Palmer noted, "These companies are clearly committed to energy efficiency demonstrated by the superior energy performance of these buildings as well as their continuing participation with EPA on energy conservation initiatives. Further, I applaud BellSouth on its continued implementation of the Atlanta Metro Plan as an appropriate response to traffic congestion and air quality issues in its headquarters city."

The ENERGY STAR designation for an office building certifies that it is performing in the top 25 percent of office buildings in the country. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary, profit-driven, and proven strategy that saves money and reduces energy use. EPA's goal is to cut the costs for U.S. businesses by $130 billion by 2010.

BellSouth also has joined EPA's Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership. This voluntary EPA program promotes the use of highly energy efficient on-site power generation systems. Partners are required to share new and existing data on CHP projects to advance efficient CHP projects.

Thursday's ceremony was held at BellSouth's Lenox Park Office Complex. Also participating in the recognition of BellSouth's accomplishments were Thomas L. Weyandt, Jr., Director of Comprehensive Planning for the Atlanta Regional Commission and Daniel Pyhthyon, Senior Vice President at the United States Telecommunications Association (USTA).

For further information on the ENERGY STAR program, you may contact Danny M. Orlando, EPA's ENERGY STAR regional coordinator at 404-562-9087 or surf the web at www.energystar.gov.