Winning Energy Efficiency Contracts with NYSERDA and Local Utilities Helps Develop Green Jobs in New York
ANAHEIM, Calif. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Willdan Group, Inc. ("Willdan") (NASDAQ: WLDN) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Willdan Energy Solutions, has grown its New York energy efficiency consulting practice to more than 50 staff in less than two years. This expansion of Willdan's business is a result of contracts won with the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority ("NYSERDA") and three major utility companies in the state — Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., and National Grid Plc. Through these program services, Willdan has been helping New York State work toward its goal to reduce statewide energy usage 15% by the year 2015.
"We are honored by this opportunity to take on the challenge of helping local businesses invest in their future during tough economic times," says Lloyd Kass, Vice President for Willdan Energy Solutions in New York. "While it has been inspiring to watch the New York business community take action, we are most proud of the green jobs that have been generated in New York through these programs." Energy efficiency programs require a wide range of expertise, including analysts, mechanical engineers, construction managers, and outreach and marketing personnel. All of these positions are part of the new ground swell of "green collar" jobs that Willdan is helping to grow throughout New York in support of these activities.
For NYSERDA, Willdan's New York team is working to educate large commercial and industrial customers, specifically data centers, on the benefits of investing in the energy-efficient operation of their servers and cooling systems. Data centers are tremendous energy users across the State. Through the NYSERDA program, however, Willdan has successfully assisted more than 75 data center clients to develop strategies that are expected to reduce energy consumption by an estimated 77 million kilowatt hours annually. NYSERDA has committed $11.7 million in funding to support these projects.
For New York utilities, Willdan implements programs that are focused on incentivizing and assisting small business owners in making their facilities more energy-efficient. Willdan has worked with more than 5,000 businesses across the State. Typical electricity-saving projects include lighting and refrigeration upgrades.
About Willdan Group, Inc.
Founded over 45 years ago, Willdan is a provider of professional technical and consulting services to small and mid-sized public agencies, large public utilities and, to a lesser extent, private industry primarily located in California, New York and Arizona. Willdan provides a broad range of services to clients, including civil engineering and planning, energy efficiency and sustainability, economic and financial consulting, and homeland security and communications and technology. For additional information, visit Willdan's website at www.willdan.com.
About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.
Forward-Looking Statements
Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Willdan's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, estimates, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk that Willdan will not be able to expand its services or meet the needs of customers in markets in which it operates. It is important to note that Willdan's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, a slowdown in the local and regional economies of the states where Willdan conducts business and the loss of or inability to hire additional qualified professionals. Willdan's business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in Willdan's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the Form 10-K annual report for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on March 29, 2011. Willdan cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Willdan disclaims any obligation to, and does not undertake to, update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.
Willdan Group, Inc.
Kimberly Gant
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 714-940-6300
kgant@willdan.com
or
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Moira Conlon
Tel: 310-478-2700 x11
mconlon@finprofiles.com
Source: Willdan Group, Inc.
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