Verizon is rolling out 15 hybrid sedans to help conserve fuel and significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in Philadelphia.

The new vehicles are among the 100 hybrid sedans Verizon is adding to its motor vehicle fleet in seven states and Washington, D.C., replacing gasoline-powered sedans. These hybrid sedans are in addition to the 100 hybrids that the company began adding at the end of 2007.

By doubling to 200 the number of these vehicles in its fleet, Verizon expects to conserve an additional 16,000 gallons of fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.4 metric tons per vehicle annually.

Verizon's new Toyota Prius hybrid sedans, compared with most traditional sedans, can travel nearly double the miles per gallon and emit less than half the carbon. This supports the company's goal of continuing to reduce CO2 emissions.

"Minimizing the impact of our operations by conserving energy, increasing our recycling rates and finding practical as well as innovative solutions to environmental challenges are a part of how we operate our business," said Gale Y. Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "As a broadband company, Verizon makes it possible for e-commerce to flourish and for our customers to telecommute or engage in distance learning, so we understand the important role technology must play in reducing the environmental impact of our operations."

In 2007, Verizon powered down or removed obsolete equipment from more than 400 buildings, and collected 1.1 million cellular phones for refurbishing, donation and recycling. So far in 2008, Verizon has electronically delivered about 75 million bills to customers.

Verizon's energy conservation, waste prevention and recycling efforts have over the last five years yielded an estimated average reduction of 332,295 metric tons in greenhouse-gas emissions. That's equivalent to nearly 61,000 cars not driven for one year.

For more information, visit Verizon's Energy Conservation/Greenhouse Gas webpage.

11/21/2008