Christmas came early this year for the Oleanik family of Westbury, thanks to the generosity of a prominent, Hicksville-based company.

Jackie Oleanik won a truckload of Energy Star-labeled appliances valued at $3,000 in the Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) Store-to-Door Sweepstakes. LIPA headquarters are located on Old Country Road, Hicksville.

Oleanik, a busy mother of four, who entertains her children's friends and extended family often, says all of her aging appliances needed replacing when she entered the sweepstakes drawing at a local Home Depot this summer.

"My family and I are absolutely thrilled," said Jackie. "My husband and I have been considering replacing our old and inefficient appliances but we weren't sure when we would be able to do that. Thanks to LIPA, this will certainly be our best Christmas yet."

"The Sweepstakes brings the concept of energy efficiency closer to home - literally store to door - and raises the profile of the Energy Star labels, the national symbol of energy efficiency," said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. "By replacing existing appliances with Energy Star-labeled appliances, a household can save as much as $150 per year on its energy and water bills. Over 10 years, this becomes a substantial savings of $1,500. The clothes washer alone will save up to 6,250 gallons of water per year."

The grand prize package that the Oleanik family won includes a Frigidaire(r) Gallery Series clothes washer and matching dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator and a room air conditioner. Energy Star-labeled appliances not only perform efficiently, but also use less energy, save consumers money on their electric bills, and help the environment by reducing air pollution.

The Sweepstakes is part of LIPA's multi-year Clean Energy Initiative (CEI), The CEI, originally conceived by Governor George Pataki, seeks to spend $170 million over a five-year period to promote energy conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy technologies.

Two other Long Islanders have also won energy efficient Energy Star-labeled home appliances as part of the "Store-to-Door Sweepstakes" sponsored by LIPA and other members of the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership, Inc. (NEEP). Second prizewinner Tina Brodzinski of Lindenhurst will receive a Frigidaire(r) Gallery Series clothes washer and matching dryer valued at $1,000. Third prizewinner Lee Cooper of Southold will receive a Frigidare room air conditioner valued at $250. Gift certificates for the room air conditioners will be given to the winners since the units must be properly fitted to the room for optimal energy efficiency.

LIPA's website www.lipower.org, provides a wide range of information on energy conservation and efficiency programs. It also features information on contests and promotions, such as the Store-to-Door Sweepstakes that LIPA offers from time to time.

The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc. (NEEP) is a consortium of gas, electric and efficiency utilities that supports the EPA and DOE's national initiative to help consumers identify energy-efficient products and appliances. NEEP members sponsoring the Sweepstakes include: Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in NY; Connecticut Light & Power (Northeast Utilities) and The United Illuminating Company in CT.; Massachusetts Electric and Nantucket Electric (National Grid), NSTAR Electric, KeySpan Energy Delivery, Unitil/Fitchburg Gas & Electric Light Company, Western Massachusetts Electric Company (Northeast Utilities) and the Cape Light Compact in MA; The Narragansett Electric Company (National Grid) in RI and Efficiency Vermont.

"The Energy Star program is a proud achievement of EPA," said Jane M. Kenny, US Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator. "But we wouldn't be nearly as successful in getting the work out about how much Energy Star products benefit consumers and the environment without the creativity of our partners in private industry. We thank LIPA and the other utility companies involved in the sweepstakes for coming up with a terrific idea, and congratulate Ms. Oleanik on her win."

In May 1998, LIPA reduced electric rates across the board by an average of 20 percent Islandwide. Over the last three years that rate reduction has saved Long Island's electricity consumers more than $1.5 billion. LIPA also offers a wide range of programs that can help consumers lower electricity costs through energy conservation and efficiency.

The Long Island Power Authority owns the electric retail business on Long Island. LIPA provides electric service to nearly 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA does not provide gas service.