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Modular Design Makes Energy Saving Technology Installation, Maintenance Simple

MANITOWOC, Wis., Aug. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OESX) on Aug. 18 was awarded a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for the energy management company's energy efficient modular lighting platform. The patent was awarded for the modular features of the system, which make initial installation, and the integration of additional energy saving technologies, easy and affordable.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6544

The modularity of the Compact Modular(tm) system marks the 22nd patent for Orion, a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology.

The modular plug-and-play features of the technology are designed for simple in-field quick change power supply to accommodate the existing branch circuit receptacle, rather than timely and expensive hard wiring. The modularity also allows users to integrate the InteLite(r) control device to further reduce energy waste by turning off lights that aren't needed, saving even more energy than with the Compact Modular(tm) system alone.

The Compact Modular(tm) platform is guaranteed to reduce users' light-related energy costs by typically 50 percent, while increasing light levels by 50 percent. When integrated with Orion's InteLite(r) wireless control system and direct renewable solar Apollo(r) light pipe, Orion customers are reducing energy consumption for lighting by up to 80%.

The design of the Compact Modular(tm) fixture and the reflector are already patented. Orion has 15 patents pending.

"The design of our Compact Modular(tm) lighting system is making it easy for companies to reduce their energy bills, decrease installation and maintenance costs and reduce their carbon footprint," said Orion CEO Neal Verfuerth. "This patent joins a growing list of other patented technology that has helped our customers save more than $642 million in energy costs, delivered more than 460 megawatts to the electric grid -- which is nearly the size of one coal-fired power plant -- and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 5.5 million tons."

Orion's innovation and technology recently won the praise of President Barack Obama, who applauded Orion in a White House speech promoting clean energy, the creation of green collar jobs and the importance of energy efficiency. Obama challenged Orion and other clean energy companies to "mount a historic effort to end once and for all our dependence on foreign oil."

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,796 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 459 megawatts, saving customers more than $642 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 5.5 million tons. Orion's technology was recently internationally recognized with a Platts Global Energy Award for the single most innovative and sustainable green technology of 2008.

Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and implements energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, wireless controls systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers without compromise. For more information, visit www.oesx.com.

The Orion Energy Systems, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4540

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

CONTACT: Orion Energy Systems Inc.

Media Contact

Linda Diedrich, Director Corporate Communications

(920) 482-1988

ljd@oes1.com



The bishops asked for changes in proposed bills in the House of Representatives and Senate. The current bills, they said, "leave between 18 and 23 million people in our nation without health insurance

The U.S. bishops called on Congress to continue to work on health care reform to provide access for everyone, protection of life at all stages and conscience rights.

The call came in a January 26 letter signed by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston- Houston, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities; Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chair of the Committee on Migration.

The entire letter can be found at http://www.usccb.org/healthcare/HC-Letter-to-Congress-012610.pdf

The bishops said that the need for reform remains despite a new political climate.

"Although political contexts have changed, the moral and policy failure that leaves tens of millions of our sisters and brothers without access to health care still remains," they said. "We encourage Congress to begin working in a bipartisan manner providing political courage, vision and leadership. We must all continue to work towards a solution that protects everyone's lives and respects their dignity."

The bishops asked for changes in proposed bills in the House of Representatives and Senate. The current bills, they said, "leave between 18 and 23 million people in our nation without health insurance."

They criticized the Senate bill saying it does not meet the church's criteria on life and conscience since it does not reflect the current U.S. policy as outlined in the Hyde Amendment passed in 1976.

"The bill's provision against abortion funding should have the same substantive policy as the Hyde Amendment and parallel provisions in current law, should cover every program in the legislation and should be as permanent as the funding provided by the bill. The House-passed language meets these criteria," they said.

Both bills are a step backwards in conscience protection, the bishops said.

"The freedom that insurers, purchasers, and sponsors currently enjoy under federal law to offer or purchase health plans that are not morally or religiously objectionable to them would be lost," they said.

"It is critical that the final bill retain the freedom of conscience that insurers, purchasers, plan sponsors, and health care providers currently have under federal law," they added.

The bishops urged that undocumented persons be able to purchase insurance in the new health care exchange with their own money. They also called for removal of the five-year ban on legal immigrants accessing health care plans such as Medicaid.

Keywords: Health care reform, abortion, conscience protections, affordability, undocument, immigrants, Hyde Amendment, Bishop John Wester, Bishop William Murphy, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

CONTACT: Sr. Mary Ann Walsh of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,+1-202-541-3200, +1-301-587-4762

Web site: http://www.usccb.org/

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