Orion Energy Systems: Toro Receives Environmental Stewardship Award For Energy Efficient Lighting Project

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Dawn Felepe Klehr, The Toro Company, 952-887-8930

Steve Heins, Orion Energy Systems, 920-892-9340, ext. 226

March 15, 2004. Minneapolis, MN– The Toro Company has received the Orion Environmental Stewardship Award for its installation of energy efficient lighting fixtures manufactured by Orion Energy Systems in several facilities throughout the United States.

Based on EPA estimates, the energy efficient lighting project will remove the following from the atmosphere: 92,100 tons of the carbon dioxide 25,116 tons of carbon; 338 tons of sulfur dioxide; 785 tons of the nitrous oxide; and, 14 pounds of mercury.

Over twenty years, the Toro energy efficient lighting projects are the environmental equivalent of planting 22,532 acres of trees, removing 17,394 cars from the road, or saving 11.2 million gallons of gas.

“I congratulate the Toro Company on being one of the early adopters to this innovative energy efficiency lighting project,” stated Neal Verfuerth, President of Orion Lighting & Energy Services. “That is why Toro deserves to be recognized for its environmental stewardship in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas”

In May 2001, Orion received the prestigious Spirit of Ecology Award at the 32nd Annual Governor’s New Product Award Program. On February 28, 2002, Orion Energy Systems was named the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Grand Award winner in the Emerging Growth category by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

About The Toro Company:

The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), with $1.5 billion in sales annually, is a leading provider of outdoor maintenance and beautification products for home, recreation, and commercial landscapes around the world. Together with its distributors, Toro provides innovative products, agronomic expertise and exemplary service that helps consumers and professionals maintain their landscapes. Visit the company website at www.thetorocompany.com. Distributor information is available at 1-800-803-8676.

About Orion

Orion Energy Systems has been innovating in the energy business since 1996. The company recently won the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Grand Award in the Emerging Growth category, given by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Association, the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award, was chosen as a “Success Story” for the 2002 Governor’s Summit on Capital, and owns numerous patents. Orion is an energy services company (ESCO), which manufactures and markets energy efficient lighting solutions for the school, gymnasium, manufacturing, warehousing, and commercial markets. Orion provides capacity displacement solutions for supply side management, transmission management, and demand side management for the electricity industry. For more information, please contact Stephen Heins, VP of Corporate Communication, Orion Energy System, sheins@oriones.com; 920-892-9340, ext. 226 or visit the Web site at www.orionlighting.com.