(Albuquerque, N.M.) – PNM recognized three Silver City businesses that have gone above and beyond in saving energy in 2013. The PNM Business Energy Efficiency Stars named are:

· Grant County Convention Center – large business with the highest energy savings.
· Foxworth Galbraith – small business with the highest energy savings.
· Rue 21 – most innovative energy-saving project

Grant County went above and beyond building code in planning and installing outdoor lighting at the new convention center. This forethought and commitment to green building earned the county a rebate check of $17,401 and annual energy savings of more than 160,000 kWh.

Foxworth Galbraith Lumber Company replaced old inefficient fluorescent lighting with newer, energy-saving lights. They've also completed similar projects at their Deming and Ruidoso stores, making them a model for energy-efficiency efforts. This project resulted in a PNM rebate check of just over $9,000. These energy saving efforts will pay for themselves in only seven months.

Rue 21 was also recognized for replacing older, inefficient fluorescent lighting with new LED lights. Lighting is important to retail businesses and often times complex. The innovative portion of the Rue 21 project is the lighting controls which will actually save more energy than the lights.

"An important part of what we do at PNM is partner with businesses to help them save energy and ultimately save money," said Amy Miller, director, PNM Energy Efficiency Programs. "Silver City businesses continue to find innovative ways to reduce energy use and we will continue to support that with rebates and programs."

Since 2009, Silver City businesses have cashed in more than $120,000 in rebates through PNM programs aimed at helping businesses make energy-efficient upgrades. Those businesses are credited with saving more than 1.3 million kilowatt-hours. That savings is equivalent to removing 133 cars off the road and conserving 470,000 gallons of water.

For more information on the PNM Business Energy Efficiency Program, please visit pnm.com/bizrebates.