NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 20, 2003

Project Cool Aid helps 50 families beat the heat

[PHOENIX] - As the Valley continues to experience record-setting temperatures, Project Cool Aid reports to date it has helped 50 families cool off. Project Cool Aid - launched by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), the Air Conditioning Contractors of America/Arizona (ACCA-AZ) and Salt River Project (SRP) - helped low-income, Maricopa County homeowners beat the heat with free home cooling system repairs.

"The results speak for themselves - through Project Cool Aid, 50 families who would not otherwise have been able to afford the repairs now have properly functioning cooling systems," said ROC Director Israel G. Torres. "Working with the Project Cool Aid partners, we have been able to create a safer, healthier environment for many Maricopa County residents.

"I can't say enough about the contractors who volunteered their time and donated parts and equipment. They have been offering free work at a time of the year that I imagine is very busy and profitable for them."

More than 100 Maricopa County homeowners applied for Project Cool Aid by submitting a statement of need to the state agency by the August 31 deadline. A committee comprised of Project Cool Aid representatives reviewed the statements and selected households that met all of the requirements. In addition, Project Cool Aid teamed up with local community agencies, including the Foundation for Senior Living, Mesa Community Action Network and the city of Phoenix Human Services department, to receive referrals in an attempt to quickly address some critical needs.

"As members of the community, we were eager to become a part of Project Cool Aid and assist families in need," said ACCA-AZ Executive Director Karen Nordstrand. "Working quickly to combat the desert heat, our contractors helped families enjoy this summer by repairing their home cooling systems."

"While committed to providing reliable power, we are dedicated to helping families in the communities we serve through much-needed programs like Project Cool Aid," said Rusty Foley, SRP Corporate Affairs Manager. "We wanted to be part of the program and will continue our commitment to assist customers in need."

Repairs on the cooling systems ranged from repairing hoses and pumps to replacing cooling systems. Total donated costs to date for the labor, supplies and equipment conducted as part of the program has exceeded $50,000.

Companies contributing to Project Cool Aid included Hobaica's Refrigeration, A/C by Jay, American Home Maintenance, Donley Service Center, Norman S. Wright, Brewer's Refrigeration, Air Dynamics Refrigeration, April Air Conditioning, Phoenix Manufacturing, Phoenix Sheet Metal, Webb Distributors, Arid Climate Services, Lennox, Wolfgang's Cooling, Andrew's Refrigeration, Environmental Air, Home Depot, Trane, Chas Roberts Air Conditioning, KBK Mechanical, Sigler & Reeves, Tri-City Mechanical, and American Refrigeration Supplies.

The ROC regulates construction contractors in the state by providing a licensing and regulatory system for residential and commercial contractors designed to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. Additionally, the ROC offers financial protection to residential consumers who use licensed contractors through its Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund. Established in 1931, the ROC operates 11 offices statewide. For more information about the agency, call 602-542-1525 or toll-free outside Maricopa County at 888-271-9286 or visit www.azroc.gov.

ACCA-AZ is a non-profit trade association of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors. Incorporated in 1953, the association has more than 180 members statewide. For more information about the association, contact the organization at www.acca-az.org.

SRP is the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 800,000 customers.