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NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced todaythat it has received a 2011 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual award recognizes the countryas leading green power users for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nationas voluntary green power market. The EPA presented MetLife with the award at the 2011 Renewable Energy Markets Conference yesterday.

"We are proud to be recognized with this prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency"

MetLife was one of ten organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for its green power purchase. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate. MetLife is currently purchasing more than 65 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 53 percent of the organizationas electricity use.

aWe are proud to be recognized with this prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,a said John M. Vazquez, vice president, vendor sourcing and corporate services. aMetLifeas initiatives deliver on our commitment to not only be a global environmental leader, but to ensure we operate responsibly. Our green power purchasing program helps support clean energy alternatives and helps combat climate change.a

According to the EPA, MetLife's green power purchase of more than 65 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of nearly 9,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the CO₂ emissions from the electricity use of nearly 6,000 average American homes annually.

MetLife is committed to addressing its environmental impact by reducing carbon emissions, implementing recycling and energy efficiency programs in its facilities and conserving natural resources by investing in renewable energy projects. To date, MetLife has reduced its energy consumption by 16% over the past five years and our carbon emissions by 40% since 2005; and has invested more than $1.7 billion in renewable energy ventures, including solar, wind and geothermal technologies. In addition, nearly all of MetLifeas corporate owned and/or operated U.S. buildings are Energy Star certified and six of its properties are certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydro. Purchases of green power help accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers in over 50 countries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit [ www.metlife.com ].

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