Madison, Wis., Nov. 20, 2008—CO2gether.org, a new Web site specially designed for Madison-area residents concerned about climate change, has been launched by a community-based partnership.

This unique new Web tool will help residents track, manage and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) over time. CO2gether.org helps people take action as individuals, households or neighborhood groups to shrink their carbon footprints—the amount of CO2 emitted when they use electricity, natural gas and motor fuels. Residents also will be able to learn from others and share success stories.

For Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) customers, CO2gether.org makes it easy to use their actual electricity and natural gas use to measure their CO2 emissions.

The Web site was developed by MGE, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE) and 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. "There is substantial scientific evidence that increasing levels of CO2 has accelerated climate change," said Professor Tracey Holloway, director of SAGE. "The Web site gives our community a way to work together to put on the brakes."

"CO2gether.org is easy to use and at the click of a button provides ideas on how to cut CO2 emissions," said Steve Hiniker, executive director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. "The Web site shows how much CO2 you save when you take action, for example—turn the furnace down, car pool or buy ENERGY STAR® appliances."

"Many of our customers are highly motivated to take environmental action. Already, we have the highest residential green power participation rate in the nation for an investor-owned utility," said Gary Wolter, MGE chairman, president and CEO. "This is the next tool we can offer to customers concerned about climate change."

▪ MGE preserves and protects our environment while providing affordable, reliable energy. We recognize our responsibility to aggressively prevent pollution, minimize waste and improve our environment. MGE generates and distributes electricity to 136,000 customers in Dane County, Wis., and purchases and distributes natural gas to 140,000 customers in seven south-central and western Wisconsin counties. MGE's parent company is MGE Energy (Nasdaq: MGEE). The company's roots in the Madison area date back more than 150 years.

▪ SAGE examines the linkages between natural resources, human health and security, and changes in the global environment. Its staff and students conduct cutting-edge research on these critical problems and disseminate that knowledge through innovative teaching and outreach at the UW-Madison. SAGE is housed within the UW-Madison's Nelson Institute and is supported by government research grants, corporate gifts and private funds.

▪ 1000 Friends of Wisconsin was created to protect and enhance Wisconsin's urban and rural landscapes by providing citizens with the inspiration, information and tools they need to effectively participate in the decisions that have the greatest impact on community health: where we live, work, learn, play and how we get from one place to another. We accomplish our work through three major efforts: (1) promoting implementation of smart growth, (2) policy development and advocacy and (3) research and information sharing. Our work focuses on helping communities make the connection between our everyday land use and transportation decisions and our state's economic, environmental and cultural health.