Saturn of Southwest Oregon Certified as Eco-Logical Business

MEDFORD, Ore., Oct. 16, 2006 -- Quick: What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the state of Oregon? For most people, the answer is our spectacular natural resources. From the mountains to the valleys and the beaches to the streams, Oregon has it all. Saturn of Southwest Oregon (a Lithia Motors dealership) is doing its part to protect and preserve it.

Saturn of Southwest Oregon has been awarded certification as an "Eco-Logical" Business from Oregon's Pollution Prevention Outreach (P2O) Team, a regional multi-agency group of air, water, wastewater, energy, hazardous waste and solid waste professionals. The dealership is the only business in Medford and in all of Jackson County with the distinction which ensures customers and the community at large that a business operates at the highest level of environmental responsibility. The Award will be presented to the dealership today (Oct. 16) at 12:00 noon at the dealership at 400 N. Riverside in Medford. Media and community residents are encouraged to attend.

"Our employees, customers, friends and family live in this community, so we're really proud to be recognized as a business that puts the environment and the long-term well-being of our community at the forefront of decision making priorities," said Mark Pagan, the store's General Manager. "Safeguarding the environment comes naturally and was an easy decision for us."

"Since its inception, Saturn has embraced an environmental commitment and giving back to the communities in which we do business," said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn General Manager. "Saturn Retailers continue to demonstrate that they are environmentally responsible and we are thrilled that Saturn of Southwest Oregon is putting policy into practice as evidenced by this eco friendly certification."

Lisa Freeman and Anna Kemmerer, Natural Resource Specialists for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality congratulated the Saturn store, "Our agency is pleased that Saturn of Southwest Oregon is choosing to engage in this proactive endeavor. We accomplished a rigorous inspection which included hazardous waste management, air emissions and water quality management, environmental product purchasing and recycling policies, worker involvement, and so forth. We found them to meet or exceed federal, state and local environmental standards. Earning this certification is voluntary since Ecological requirements go far beyond the legal code; therefore, all recipients deserve recognition and accolades for their environmental commitment to our state." For more information on the certification program, please visit http://www.ecobiz.org/ .

According to Jeremy Fleming, Lithia Motors Environmental and Safety Manager, "Although this is our first dealership to be awarded the Eco-Logical Business certification, at Lithia, we are devoutly committed to the environment, and plan on earning the distinction at other Lithia locations."

For more information about Saturn of Southwest Oregon please visit http://www.saturnofsouthwestoregon.com/ . For more information about Lithia Motors, visit http://www.lithia.com/ .