GALVESTON, Texas (February 28, 2006) - In a project supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips Chemical) recently provided approximately $1.2 million to fund a fuel cell installation at the Moody Gardens nature and education complex in Galveston.  A clean energy alternative, the fuel cell combines hydrogen derived from natural gas and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat, and water.  The 200 kW of electricity provided by this quiet, reliable, and virtually pollution-free source of power benefits the environment and the community.

By using clean energy from the fuel cell, Moody Gardens reduces the amount of electricity it requires from the local power grid, resulting in an annual emissions reduction of approximately 2.78 tons of nitrogen oxides, or the equivalent to removing 150 cars from the roadways per year.  In addition to emissions reductions, the fuel cell project demonstrates an alternative energy solution.  Considered an emerging technology, fuel cell demonstration projects improve understanding of the technology to aid in larger scale applications in the future.

"Green energy innovations will mean more blue skies throughout this region," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said.  "From Houston to America’s heartland, we’ll be seeing more green power success stories like Moody Gardens as our public-private partnership, the Blue Skyways Collaborative, creates cleaner air and healthier communities."

Outside of its environmental and practical benefits, the new fuel cell at Moody Gardens also serves as a teaching tool.  Chevron Phillips Chemical is funding a field trip for Advanced Placement science students from the Galveston Independent School District to see and learn about this state-of-the-art alternative energy solution.  Moody Gardens and Chevron Phillips Chemical hope to develop a fuel cell learning module that complements school field trips to existing Moody Gardens exhibits.

"A solid scientific education is crucial to our industry," said Greg Hanggi, vice president, environment, health and safety of Chevron Phillips Chemical.  "We are pleased to offer this unique learning opportunity to local students.  Alternative energy sources are vital for our business and our country and we look forward to sparking young, creative minds toward future energy possibilities."

In addition to serving as a technology demonstration site, the new fuel cell also provides Moody Gardens with emergency power for The Learning Place, an onsite building with classrooms and offices where response teams can gather to respond to weather and other crises.  Moody Gardens serves as an emergency staging area for Reliant Energy when restoring power after major outages such as hurricanes and other disasters.

"Conservation and education are very important parts of the Moody Gardens mission. We applaud the efforts of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company and our organization is very pleased to be on the cutting edge of successful alternative energy programs," said Mike Riley, president of Moody Gardens. 

The Moody Gardens fuel cell is a PureCell™ 200, manufactured by UTC Power, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. The 200 kW fuel cell generates enough electrical output to power 150 average homes.

About EPA
EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment—air, water, and land—upon which life depends. For more than 35 years, the EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people. Visit http://www.epa.gov/ for additional information. 

About Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens is a public non-profit educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research. Located on 242 acres in Galveston, Texas, Moody Gardens offers fun-filled learning experiences to local residents and tourists alike. For more information, call the Moody Gardens information center at (800) 582-4673, or visit online at http://www.moodygardens.com/.

About Chevron Phillips Chemical
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC with its affiliates produce chemicals that are essential to manufacturing over 70,000 consumer and industrial products. With 37 manufacturing and research facilities in eight countries, the company has nearly $7 billion in assets and employs approximately 5,100 persons worldwide. Chevron Phillips Chemical is undertaking the Moody Gardens fuel cell project in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action taken on behalf of the EPA under the Clean Air Act.