Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation and its parent company CH Energy Group, Inc. published their first Environmental Sustainability Report, focusing on the programs, initiatives and practices utilized that protect the environment and support local communities. This inaugural report covers the period 2008 through 2009.

“While we set out initially to focus on our efforts in the arena of environmental stewardship – operating in more sustainable ways, reducing our carbon footprint, using natural resources more efficiently, reducing waste, preserving and protecting wildlife and natural habitats and encouraging our customers to use energy more wisely – it became apparent that any discussion of this nature must focus equally on the ways in which our business decisions impact the people and communities we serve economically and socially, as well. The interconnected nature of our environmental, economic and social objectives is more apparent and important now than ever before,” said James P. Laurito, President of Central Hudson.

The report reviews the interrelated aspects of the utility and holding company subsidiaries, and follows the G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, an internationally accepted framework for reporting an organization’s economic, environmental and social performance developed by the Global Reporting Initiative. The major sections of the report cover Company structure, Operations and Infrastructure, Environmental Footprint, Innovative Products and Services, Engaging Workforce and Strong Communities.

“This report was developed for our major stakeholders – customers, the communities we serve, investors and regulators – to describe our sustainable policies, programs and performance,” said Laurito. Examples of what readers will find in the 40-page report include investments in renewable energy projects by CH Energy Group; the carbon footprint and environmental practices by the utility and holding company subsidiaries; the use of biodiesel blends as fuel for utility vehicles; receipt of federal funding for the purchase of plug-in hybrid line trucks; recent improvements to the utility’s hydroelectric facilities; results of the net metering program for customer sited solar and wind facilities, and national recognition for customer participation; energy efficiency programs and incentives available to residents and businesses; outreach and support programs for vulnerable customers; a strong safety culture among employees and national recognition in achieving a safety milestone; employee innovation programs to advance technologies and procedures that promote operational efficiencies; utility support of research and development projects to test and evaluate environmentally sustainable technologies; and support of local community service organizations.

“As good stewards of the environment, we are able to contribute to the economic health and vitality of the communities we serve – while also adding value to our Company and providing a fair and attractive return to our shareholders,” said Laurito. “We also strive to be a good corporate citizen by investing in our communities through philanthropy, employee volunteerism, and civic involvement and service, while conducting our business, and ourselves as individuals, ethically at all times. We will always be mindful of how our business decisions can have long-term impacts on environmental stewardship, economic vitality and social responsibility that truly are the three critical components of sustainability.”

To view the Environmental Sustainability report, log onto www.CentralHudson.com and scroll through the featured topics at the top of the home page; or go directly to www.centralhudson.com/pdf/EnvReport.PDF. For more information on the G3 Sustainability Report Guidelines, log onto www.globalreporting.org.

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