Vega's Biomass Plans for Georgia Fit Federal State Energy Program

/PRNewswire/ -- VEGA PROMOTIONAL SYSTEMS, INC. (Pink Sheets: VGPR) announced today that the Company's plan to manufacture energy efficient pellet fuel from organic waste bi-products in the State of Georgia meets the qualifying criteria to apply for a grant from the State under the federal State Energy Program.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced July 7, 2009 that Georgia will receive $32.9 million in federal money to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state. The money is part of a total of nearly $82.5 million the department will award Georgia as part of the federal State Energy Program. Georgia's proposal outlined plans for increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state will get more than $41 million in additional funding upon demonstrating successful implementation of that plan, according to the department.

The program is part of President Barack Obama's national strategy to support job growth. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program to help states create green jobs, address state energy priorities and adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Vega recently announced its plan to build a manufacturing plant in the State of Georgia to produce biomass products and bio-diesel products for power generation units. When completed, the fuel pellet manufacturing facility will capitalize on the abundance of biomass in Georgia's Bioenergy Corridor. The State ranks third in the nation as a potential source of renewable energy. The amount of privately owned forests in Georgia, more than any other state in the country, is the reason for the State's ranking. When completed, the Georgia plant would have the capacity to produce several hundred thousand metric tons of biomass fuel pellets annually.

The Company will seek financial assistance from the State to build its manufacturing plant. When complete, the facility will create nearly 200 direct or indirect green jobs and address state energy priorities to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "forecast," "project," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," and similar expressions and all statements, which are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance (finance or operating) or achievements to differ from future results, performance (financing and operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

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Vega Picks Tennessee Firm to Assist with Construction of Biomass Plant in Georgia

/PRNewswire/ -- Vega Promotional Systems, Inc. (Pink Sheets: VGPR) today announced it has chosen Chattanooga, TN based consulting firm, Tennessee Power Company, Inc. to assist the Company in building a biomass production facility in Georgia.

Vega recently announced its intention to build a biomass plant in Georgia to take advantage of the abundance of biomass materials in the State's Bioenergy Corridor. Georgia ranks third in the nation as a potential source of renewable energy. Approximately 50 million tons of Georgia's own timber ends up in the State's wood-products manufacturing plants every year and the industry returns nearly half of it in the form of primary mill wood debris.

Vega's Business Plan calls for manufacturing facilities to be constructed in various locations around the world. The Georgia plant would be the Company's first in the United States and would serve as a model facility for other plants in the U.S.

Biomass or biofuel is material derived from recently living organisms. This includes plants, animals and their bi-products. For example, manure, garden waste and crop residues are all sources of biomass. It is a renewable energy source based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources such as petroleum, coal, and nuclear fuels. The use of biomass fuels can therefore contribute to waste management as well as fuel security and help to prevent global warming

The Company markets various products including energy efficient pellet fuel made from organic waste bi-products using unique and innovative ideas combined with proven technology. The Company's current expansion includes building manufacturing plants in various international locations that will produce biomass products and bio-diesel products for power generation units. It is estimated that in the next five years the biomass industry will become a $20 billion industry.

Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "forecast," "project," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," and similar expressions and all statements, which are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance (finance or operating) or achievements to differ from future results, performance (financing and operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

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Statement by John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva, on Being Recognized by Governor Perdue in the State of the State Address

(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Over the past year, Suniva has had a great relationship with the state and Governor Perdue's office. We were honored to be recognized in the Governor's speech as a stand out in the renewable energy sector, bringing new technology and industry to Georgia.

“As the governor stated, Suniva was born in the labs of Georgia Tech. Our Georgian heritage is a major part of our success, and we plan to continue our relationship with Georgia Tech as we lead the world in the pursuit of low cost, high efficiency solar technology here at home.

“With the help of sound economic policies from the Governor, we plan to build upon our many early successes and continue creating jobs here in Georgia in 2009 and beyond.”

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ING Receives EPA Green Power Leadership Award

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ING announced today that it has received a 2008 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country's leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market. EPA presented ING with the award at an event held in conjunction with the 2008 National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference in Denver, Colorado.

ING was one of only nine organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for its green power purchase. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier. ING is currently purchasing more than 75 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization's purchased electricity use. ING is buying renewable energy certificates from Community Energy.

"We are proud to receive this prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president of ING's Office of Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility. "Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable, while also sending a message to other companies across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk."

ING currently ranks No. 42 on EPA's National Top 50 list. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through October 8, 2008. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

"Our nation is shifting to a 'green culture,' with more and more Americans understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "EPA commends ING for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power."

According to the U.S. EPA, ING's current green power purchase of more than 75 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 10,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 7,000 average American homes annually.

In addition to its green power purchase, ING is also focusing on ways to reduce its environmental impact through waste reduction and energy efficiency initiatives, the addition of new recycled paper options for all offices, more robust recycling programs and eco-friendly procurement practices. A grass- roots, employee-led team called Orange Goes Green is also helping to build awareness among employees about how they can live "greener" at work and home, including supporting environmental volunteer opportunities.

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