Advantage IQ Leads Nation in ENERGY STAR Rating Results

Innovative technology interface simplifies process and encourages participation in EPA’s national effort to reduce energy consumption

SPOKANE, Wash. – Oct. 17, 2005: Advantage IQ, a subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2005 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, leads the nation in helping clients access the EPA energy performance rating system through the use of its patented Facility IQ system and a simplified interface with the EPA’s new automated benchmarking.

ENERGY STAR, a voluntary program from EPA, is designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ENERGY STAR rating is a landmark tool for assessing and improving the energy performance of commercial buildings. Advantage offers qualifying clients the ability to automate their ENERGY STAR building rating process. To date, as reported by the EPA, Advantage IQ has handled more than 90 percent, or 86,000 ratings, of all building ratings processed through the EPA’s automated benchmarking.

“Energy costs continue to increase dramatically, and federal and state officials are calling out for Americans to conserve,” said Stu Stiles, Advantage IQ president and chief executive officer. “Advantage IQ has taken the lead in assisting our clients with their conservation efforts through this innovative partnership with the EPA. A strategic approach to energy management produces bottom line results and makes a positive impact on the environment.”

Advantage IQ has a client base of more than 350 of the largest organizations in America, representing over 160,000 locations nationally, including many key clients in the EPA’s targeted segments of grocery and lodging. Advantage continues to add to its customer base with an overall revenue growth rate of 38 percent over the past year, including significant additions in the food service, entertainment and retail service sectors.

EPA's automated benchmarking for ENERGY STAR is designed to make it easier for companies to rate the energy performance of their building portfolio. The partnership with Advantage IQ allows clients the ability to continuously manage energy across their organization, as well as develop an energy management strategy that helps measure a building’s current energy performance, set goals, track savings, and reward improvements. The EPA provides an energy performance rating system, which businesses have already used for more than 21,000 buildings across the country. EPA also recognizes top performing buildings with the ENERGY STAR label.

“Increasingly, there is a connection between energy management and overall business performance,” remarked Stiles, “Studies show most commercial and office buildings use 10 percent to 30 percent more energy than necessary. The ENERGY STAR label is a well-recognized brand that can be used to communicate cost management efforts to executive management, customers and stockholders.”

More information about ENERGY STAR is available at www.energystar.gov