EPA Recognizes Advantage IQ, Inc. With 2010 ENERGY STAR(R) Sustained Excellence Award

SPOKANE, Wash., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Advantage IQ, a subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA),  a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency. Advantage IQ's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010.

Advantage IQ, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency.  In 2009, Advantage IQ provided energy performance ratings to more than 34,500 buildings, representing 63 percent of all buildings that received automated benchmarks. Delivering more than 129,000 individual building ratings to large portfolio companies across multiple industries, Advantage IQ supports nearly three-quarters of the qualified buildings in the supermarket sector and works in collaboration with more than 75 ENERGY STAR partners. Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through participation in ENERGY STAR.

"Advantage IQ is committed to partnering with our clients to measure, analyze and improve resource management," said Jeff Heggedahl, president and chief executive office of Advantage IQ. "The ability to benchmark site performance is a fundamental part of an energy management strategy. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts to support and automate the ENERGY STAR rating process."

The 2010 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program, including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

"EPA is recognizing Advantage IQ with our highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2010 Sustained Excellence Award," said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "Advantage IQ's continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment."

About Advantage IQ

Advantage IQ is a leading provider of comprehensive cost management services for utility, telecom, waste and lease expenses, including strategic energy management services. Its patented technology and services provide multi-site companies with critical, yet easy-to-access, information that enables companies to proactively manage and reduce expenses. Advantage IQ's patented system provides online access to consolidated cost and consumption data, partnered with powerful analytical reporting tools. For more information about Advantage IQ, visit www.advantageiq.com or call

(800)791-7564.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

About Avista Corporation

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 356,000 homes and businesses and natural gas to 316,000 homes and businesses in three Western states, serving more than 485,000 customers. Avista's primary, non-regulated subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA." For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.

SOURCE Advantage IQ