Intel Corporation nearly doubled its annual purchases of green power last year to more than 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours, easily topping the EPA’s top 50 partner organizations using the most renewable electricity.
Intel’s purchase is the largest to date in the agency’s Green Power Partnership, which works with companies and organizations to encourage voluntary purchases of power generated from renewable resources. Intel’s action helped avoid the carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to 340,000 passenger cars or 218,000 average American homes.
Kohl’s, the second biggest buyer, increased its power purchases to more than 1.4 billion kWh annually. Other top buyers include Staples, which more than doubled its commitment; Sony Corporation, which nearly doubled its purchases; and Best Buy, Suffolk County, NY, and Drexel University, which are all making their first appearances on the top 50 list. Together, the top 50 partners use more than 13.5 billion kWh of green power every year, equivalent to the carbon dioxide produced from the electricity used by more than 1.1 million average American homes.
"Investments like these are smart for business, foster growth in the green energy sector, and help protect our health through cleaner air," says EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
Buying green power generated from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydropower helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants created during traditional methods of power generation. More than 1,300 organizations have signed up for the Green Power Partnership and use more than 19.2 billion kWh every year, boasting an environmental impact equal to avoiding the electricity use of 1.7 million homes. B
