Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), and Tulsa Habitat for Humanity today announced a unique partnership that will help improve energy efficiency and lower utility costs for new Habitat homeowners.
 
With the help of a $150,000 contribution from PSO, Habitat for Humanity will build its next 50 homes to ENERGY STAR New Home standards, meaning they will meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  ENERGY STAR homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code, and include features that make them 20-30 percent more energy efficient than standard homes.
 
“We are thrilled to embark on this first of its kind partnership with Habitat for Humanity,” said Stuart Solomon, PSO president and chief operating officer.  “Through this program, Habitat homeowners, with the energy saving features that will be included in their new homes, will benefit from increased comfort and utility cost savings for years to come.”
 
“The PSO gift to Tulsa habitat has made an extreme impact on our home building as it has enabled us to upgrade our homes to an ENERGY STAR level, becoming even more environmentally sound than we had been,” said Paul Kent, executive director of Tulsa Habitat for Humanity.  “This gift will also have a long-term impact on Habitat homebuyers as they take advantage of energy efficient homes.”
 
Solomon presented Kent with a check for $150,000 during an event at the site of the first Habitat home being built to the ENERGY STAR standards.  Located at 25 S. Yorktown, the home includes energy-saving features such as special insulating foam, energy efficient windows and a high efficiency heating and cooling system.
            
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving approximately 525,000 customers in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma.  Based in Tulsa, PSO has 4,400 megawatts of generating capacity, and is the largest distributor of wind energy in the state.
News releases and other information about PSO can be found on the World Wide Web at www.PSOklahoma.com.
 
About TulsaHabitat for Humanity
Tulsa Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical, non-profit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Tulsa County. Since 1988, Tulsa Habitat and its families and house sponsors have built 191 homes. Over 125 faith-based groups, companies, foundations and individuals have financially sponsored these 191 Tulsa Habitat homes. It took 14 years to build the first hundred homes and six years later this spring Tulsa Habitat for Humanity will build the 200^th home. THFH has 23 homes scheduled to be built in 2009. For more information, visit www.habitat-tulsa.org.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.