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TVA’s Green Power Switch® Provides Renewable Energy to Staples

Oct. 23, 2003

Staples Inc. has agreed to purchase clean renewable energy from five local distributors of TVA power for several of its Tennessee Valley retail stores.

Staples will buy Green Power Switch from four local power companies in Tennessee and one in Alabama — the Electric Power Board in Chattanooga, Knoxville Utilities Board, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation in Murfreesboro, Sevier County Electric System in Sevierville, and Huntsville Utilities in Huntsville, Ala.

The company will use 25 blocks of green power at each location, which is the equivalent of removing six cars from the road or planting nine acres of trees in each community.

“Staples Inc. has made a commitment to renewable energy and environmental stewardship by choosing Green Power Switch for its business customers and the communities it serves,” said TVA Green Power Program Manager Gary Harris.

Green Power Switch, offered by TVA and local power distributors, is a renewable energy program that allows consumers to purchase electricity generated from clean sources, such as wind, solar power, and methane gas.

“Staples recognizes the importance of environmental responsibility. As part of our company-wide environmental commitment, we are proud to support the advancement of renewable energy to help protect the environment for our customers, our local communities and our associates,” said Staples Director of Energy and Environmental Management Bob Valair.

TVA’s Green Power Switch program contributes to Staples’ company-wide total of 10 percent renewable energy use for its U.S. electricity consumption. Renewable power procurement and energy conservation is a cornerstone of Staples’ overall environmental commitment. Staples also participates in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership, which is a voluntary program designed to reduce the environmental impacts of electricity generation by promoting renewable energy.

Through local distributors, TVA sells Green Power Switch to consumers in 150-kilowatt-hour blocks at a cost of $4 per block. Business and industrial customers buy blocks based on the amount of energy they use. Residential consumers can buy as many blocks as they want.

TVA provides green power from 15 solar sites throughout the TVA service area, one wind park in east Tennessee, and a methane gas facility at Allen Fossil Plant in Memphis. Approximately 7,100 residential customers and 358 business customers are purchasing green power in the Tennessee Valley.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power producer and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve 8.3 million consumers in seven southeastern states.

Staples is headquartered outside of Boston and sells a wide range of office products, including supplies and technology, furniture and business services. With approximately 1,500 office superstores, Staples is the largest operator of office superstores in the world. Staples also serves its customers through its mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at http://www.staples.com.

Media Contact:

Michelle Chang, Knoxville (865-632-8108), or TVA News Bureau, Knoxville (865-632-6000)