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Lee Iacocca Kicks Off Grand Opening of the World's First Retail Energy Store

26 April 2000

Lee Iacocca Kicks Off Grand Opening of the World's First Retail Energy Store; Commonwealth Energy Store Features E-Bike Among Energy-Efficient Products

    SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 25 Lee Iacocca will arrive via
E-Bike to kick off the grand opening of the world's first retail energy
store-the Commonwealth Energy Store-in Santa Monica, California on Thursday,
April 27 at 10:00 a.m.
    One of the most talked-about products featured at the new store is the
E-Bike, the electric bicycle designed and distributed by Lee Iacocca's EV
Global Motors Company.
    "I think it says a lot about our society that a store like this is now
possible," noted Iacocca.  "We're going to see big changes in the future of
clean energy products like the E-Bike and I'm excited to be affiliated with a
utility company like Commonwealth."
    To commemorate the opening of the world's first retail energy store, Lee
Iacocca will present a certificate of authenticity for the first 25 special
limited-edition E-Bikes sold at the store.
    For the grand opening, Iacocca will be joined by representatives of the
mayor's office, as well as members of the Chamber of Commerce, local
dignitaries and business leaders.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
(PDT) will be followed by comments from Iacocca and other dignitaries.
    Store visitors will be able to purchase innovative energy-efficient
products and learn about renewable technologies.  In addition, they can sign
up for Commonwealth Energy Corp.'s cost-saving energy services, which are
Green-e certified and 100% renewable, far above industry standards.
    Customers will be able to test ride the E-Bike at the Commonwealth store.
Those interested can purchase one at nearby Buerge Ford or Buerge
Chrysler-Jeep, a certified E-Bike dealer located on Santa Monica Boulevard.
    "This monumental event not only signifies the success of the renewable
energy movement, it also proves that the restructuring of the electric
utilities will bring innovative ideas to the market," noted Ian B. Carter,
chairman and CEO of Commonwealth.
    The Commonwealth Energy Store is located at 1457 4th Street (at 4th and
Broadway) in Santa Monica.