News Release

Oct. 3, 2007

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

PNM Launches State-of-the-Art
Refrigerator Recycling Program

Albuquerque: PNM today launched the first of nine new electric energy efficiency programs: a refrigerator recycling program that offers free pick-up of old, energy-wasting refrigerators and freezers, a $30 rebate check and safe, state-of-the-art disposal and recycling.

“One of the best ways to reduce energy use in the home and protect the environment is by retiring an older, inefficient second refrigerator or freezer,” said Pat Vincent, PNM Utilities President.
PNM electric customers can participate by calling (877) 643-1956 or visiting PNM.com/fridge to schedule a pick-up. Refrigerators or freezers must be between 10 and 27 cubic feet in size and working.

Retiring a second refrigerator or freezer can result in savings of up to $100 a year on energy bills, according to Vincent who said that many people continue to use their older refrigerators and freezers when they buy a new one. While today’s units are much more energy efficient, refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1990 can use as much as 1500 kilowatt hours (kWh) a year, or 20 percent of the 7,200 kWh used by the average PNM customer annually.

"I am proud that Albuquerque is leading the way with programs that reduce energy use and protect our environment. And I congratulate PNM for this program. Each step a PNM customer takes, whether retiring an inefficient refrigerator or switching from traditional light bulbs to CFLs, may seem small. But those steps add up and they are only the beginning of what I think we can do together," said Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, who was one of two mayors awarded first-place honors in the first annual Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards Program by The U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The old refrigerators will be delivered to a new Albuquerque recycling facility operated by JACO Environmental, an experienced provider of utility recycling programs chosen by PNM. JACO will recycle nearly 95 percent of each refrigerator, and safely dispose of the toxins and ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbon gases from foam insulation. JACO will work with local businesses to recycle glass, plastic and metal.

“Besides consuming three times the energy of newer, more efficient refrigerators, old refrigerators contain a toxic brew that includes mercury, oil and ozone-depleting CFCs that emit greenhouse gases from the foam insulation. As a result, old refrigerators pose a significant threat to the environment when improperly discarded,” said Michael Dunham, JACO’s Director of Energy and Environmental Programs. “This new program helps save energy and the planet.”

English Bird, New Mexico Recycling Coalition Executive Director said, “This program is designed to be easy and convenient, encouraging proper disposal of refrigerators to ease our state’s illegal dumping problem -- many times older appliances are found in our arroyos and beautiful landscape. The program also saves energy. Recycling of all items helps to save energy, which is important as we become more aware of the effects of global warming.” The Coalition represents 230 recycling professionals, works to encourage recycling through education and advocacy, and maintains a statewide online directory of recycling programs at www.recyclenewmexico.com.

The PNM refrigerator-recycling program is one of nine energy efficiency programs PNM is launching this fall to help residential and commercial electric customers use less energy, manage their bills and protect the environment. The programs were developed with input from a public advisory committee that includes representatives of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, the New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department, New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, AARP, Community Action New Mexico, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, Natural Resources Defense Council, Seimens, the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy and the New Mexico Attorney General’s office.

For more information about PNM energy efficiency programs, visit PNM.com or call 1 (888) DIAL PNM.

PNM is a subsidiary of PNM Resources, an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, N.M. PNM provides electric utility service to 435,000 customers and natural gas service to 487,000 customers in New Mexico. The company also sells power on the wholesale market in the West. PNM Resources stock is traded primarily on the NYSE under the symbol PNM. For more information, see the company's Web site at PNM.com.