Champion Energy Wins Texas A&M University System Energy Contract

HOUSTON, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Fordham, president and chief executive officer, today announced that Champion Energy Services (www.championenergyservices.com) has secured a contract to provide electric energy for The Texas A&M University System, one of the largest systems of higher education in the United States, beginning September 2011.

Savings to the system is estimated at $4 million over the 24-month contract period. Savings to Stephen F. Austin State University, also included in the contract, is estimated at $2 million over the same two-year period.

Fifteen percent of the energy purchased through the contract will be in the form of Texas Wind Renewable Energy Credits. Inclusion of green energy components will again put the A&M System at the forefront of Texas universities using renewable energy to power their operations. The contract places the A&M System sixth in the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership Program for Universities of the highest levels of green power purchases.  

"As employees of the State of Texas, we try our best to be good stewards of taxpayers' money," said B. J. Crain, chief business officer for the A&M System. "And it's extra rewarding when saving money also means we're helping the environment."

A&M System members participating in the contract include:

• Texas A&M Health Science Center – Institute of Biosciences and Technology
• Texas A&M University at Galveston
• Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing
• Tarleton State University
• Texas A&M International University
• Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
• Texas A&M University–Commerce
• Texas A&M University–Kingsville
• Texas A&M Health Science Center
• Texas AgriLife Research
• Texas Engineering Extension Service
• Texas AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas Forest Service

"With a rich history of service to the state, The Texas A&M University System is an acclaimed cornerstone for learning," said Fordham. "Champion Energy Services is honored to provide electric energy to the A&M System's extensive number of regional campuses and extension services across Texas."

About Champion Energy Services

www.championenergyservices.com

Houston-based Champion Energy Services ranks among the top retail electric providers in the United States. Champion Energy currently serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in deregulated electric energy markets in Texas, Illinois and Pennsylvania and is slated to enter the Ohio market in 2010. The company serves 350,000 residential customer equivalents, with a peak load near 1,000 Megawatts. Champion Energy is backed by the financial strength of Texas-based Crane Capital. PUCT No. 10098.

About the A&M System

The A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $3.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates more than 115,000 students and makes more than 15 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. Externally funded research expenditures exceed more than $676 million and help drive the state's economy.

SOURCE Champion Energy Services