Environmental Services — April 14, 2009

J.D. Irving, Limited and GE to deliver energy-efficient, high-performance homes inspired by ecomagination(SM)

    KENT Homes Launch Evergreen Homes that Help Improve Energy Efficiency,
    Indoor Air Quality, Water Consumption, Lower Waste and Reduce
    Homeowners' Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

    BOUCTOUCHE, NB, April 14 /CNW/ - Kent Homes, the Atlantic Canada industry
leader in manufactured and modular housing, and GE, a diversified
infrastructure, finance and media company, have signed an agreement to produce
comfortable and efficient homes that use less of the earth's resources.
Production of the new line of Evergreen homes will help secure the jobs of
more than 265 people at the Bouctouche and Debert, NS operations.
    Homes inspired by ecomagination(SM) and built to the requirements of the
Environments for Living(R) Certified Green program, a building science
initiative of Masco Home Services, Inc., provide a 20% savings in household
energy, a 20% savings in indoor water consumption, improved indoor air
quality, and a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions(*).
    The Kent Homes Evergreen series of homes will meet and exceed the
criteria of the Environments For Living program to achieve an EnerGuide rating
of 80, the most energy efficient standard in Canada.
    The construction of each Evergreen home by Kent Homes(TM) follows the
strict building-science principals of the Environments for Living Certified
Green program. The program, which is performance based, applies standards in
energy efficiency, resource/material efficiency, water efficiency and indoor
environmental quality. Requirements include the use of energy-efficient
lighting and appliances, low VOC products, low flow plumbing fixtures and high
efficiency toilets. The building science requirements of the program help
optimize the home's "envelope" by incorporating standards for tight
construction, fresh air ventilation, improved thermal systems, correctly sized
heating and cooling systems, interior moisture management, indoor
environmental quality and combustion safety.
    At the heart of Evergreen by Kent Homes(TM) is GE's SmartCommand Enviro
Monitor, an interactive wall panel that provides the homeowner with current
and historical feedback on electricity and water consumption. It also tracks
the real time reduction in the home's emissions as compared to an
industry-accepted average new home. The easy-to-use colour touchscreen is
intuitive and simple with a programmable thermostat designed to reflect the
homeowner's needs.
    "Using GE's innovative ecomagination(SM) solutions, Kent Homes will
successfully address changing customer needs and environmental challenges,"
said Elyse Allan, President and CEO, GE Canada.
    "Our company is committed to the environmental, economic and social well
being of the communities where we live and work and providing products that
reduce our environmental footprint, "said Jim Irving, President of J.D.
Irving, Limited. "We look forward to our partnership with GE because we share
the same values and commitment to investing in technology, continuous
improvement, quality products and service to our valued customers."
    "Building an energy-efficient new home is a sound investment," said New
Brunswick Energy Minister Jack Keir. "It increases the value of the home, and
it lowers energy and operating costs. Efficiency NB is doing wonderful work in
support of this new Evergreen program by Kent Homes."
    "Our strategy is to add value to our customers by offering leading edge
designs and options" said Wayne Power, Vice President, of Kent Homes." There's
been a major shift in consumer buying patterns in North America. Consumers are
demanding greener products and construction techniques. Our existing low waste
and efficient indoor manufacturing platform, combined with GE and Masco Home
Services' technology and design standards, will enable us to deliver world
class sustainable homes unlike anyone else in our region.
    Production of the new Evergreen homes is schedule to begin June 15, 2009.

    (*) compared to industry-accepted average new homes

    
    Financial Incentives for Evergreen Home Buyers
    ----------------------------------------------

    - Conserve NS offers $500 rebate for EnerGuide rating of 80
    - Heritage Gas (NS) offers up to $2000 for natural gas hook up
    - Efficiency NB offers grants of up to $3000 to homeowners with EnerGuide
      ratings of 80 or higher and a bonus of $250 for using Energy Star(TM)
      appliances and lighting fixtures.
    - Canada Mortgage and Housing offers a 10% refund on mortgage loan
      insurance premium (NS, NB, and PEI)
    - Enbridge Gas (NB) offers a $3000 rebate for customers who choose
      natural gas.
    

    About Kent Homes

    Kent Homes is Atlantic Canada's largest modular home builder. We've been
building quality structures since 1958, as part of the J.D. Irving, Limited
family with over 125 years involvement in the forest products business. Kent
Homes construction starts as components designed and engineered at their
modern facilities located in Debert, Nova Scotia (72,000 sq ft) and
Bouctouche, New Brunswick (140,000 sq ft). . For more information, visit the
company's Web site at www.kenthomes.com

    About GE

    GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company
taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power
generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming,
GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people
worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

    About Masco Home Services, Inc. and the Environments For Living(R)
    Program

    Masco Home Services, Inc., a Masco company, offers the Environments For
Living program and Environments For Living Certified Green program to assist
builders in constructing homes that are more energy efficient, more
comfortable and more durable as compared to industry-accepted average new
homes. Masco Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading manufacturer of
home improvement and building products and a premiere provider of services
that include

For further information: Kim Warburton, VP Communications/PR GE, Office
(905) 858-5678, Cell (416) 561-8316, Fax (905) 858-5260, kim.warburton@ge.com;
Mary Keith, VP Communications, J.D. Irving, Limited, Office (506) 632-5122,
Cell (506) 650-8209, Fax (506) 648-2205, keith.mary@jdirving.com

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