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GE and the State of Kentucky partner to relight Madisonville plant

May 14, 2010

MADISONVILLE, Kentucky-- GE Aviation was awarded up to $200,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding from the state of Kentucky to match its own $200,000 investment in its Madisonville Turbine Airfoils facility. The funding will cover a relighting of the entire plant with energy efficient bulbs and fixtures. Savings from the project are estimated to be more than $200,000 per year, while reducing energy consumption by 60 percent. This translates to a reduction of 2,963 metric tons of CO2 annually. 

The total project is estimated to be $400,000 and will be completed by the end of the third quarter. GE Aviation is committed to energy reduction at its facilities through the Company's ecomagination initiative. One of the pillars of ecomagination is to improve the energy efficiency of GE operations and reduce GE's greenhouse gas emissions. Across GE, Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy intensity have been reduced by 41 percent and 37 percent respectively, compared to 2004. 

The Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence and the Cabinet for Economic Development have partnered together to secure this money from the U.S. Department of Energy and make it available to businesses through the State Energy Program. The purpose of the grant is to accelerate energy efficiency and renewable energy industrial projects for businesses in Kentucky. 

Four Kentucky businesses received the funding, which will be used to replace old, inefficient lighting with advanced energy efficient lighting in existing Kentucky commercial facilities. While each project differs slightly, all four will save energy and reduce operating costs. 

Companies were selected through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, administered by the Cabinet for Economic Development. The Cabinet will provide 50 percent of the funds needed to complete the lighting upgrades and each company will provide the additional funding required to complete its project. 

GE Aviation in Madisonville employs approximately 650 people and produces high pressure turbine blades and nozzles for both military and commercial applications. Their products can be found in aircraft engines such as the T700 which powers military helicopters including the Blackhawk, and as commercial products like the GE90 which powers the Boeing 777. 

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. www.ge.com/aviation/