Some of the nation’s most recognizable brands—among them, Coca-Cola Intel, Kohl’s, Lockheed Martin, McDonald’s, Microsoft (News - Alert) and Staples —were recognized this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the 12th Annual Green Power Leadership Awards.
Awards were presented to 24 Green Power Partners and three suppliers at the Renewable Energy Markets Conference, held in Washington, DC, for their achievements in advancing the America’s renewable electricity market.
From purchasing 100-percent green power to installing large-scale solar panel arrays, the award winners helped demonstrate this year that renewable energy makes sense not only for Americans' health and environment but for business' bottom lines. The Green Power Leadership Awards recognize the leading actions of EPA Partners and green power suppliers that significantly advance the development of green power sources nationwide.
“Our 2012 Green Power Leadership Award winners have not only demonstrated commendable civic leadership in their efforts to use renewable energy sources; they’ve also helped to reduce our carbon footprint and cut back on pollution— all while supporting America's growing renewable energy industry,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, adding, “Thanks to their commitment, and the commitment of all of our Green Power Partners, our country is one step closer to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.” The 2012 Green Power Leadership Award winners are listed below in the following categories:On-site
Generation
Coca Cola Refreshments, Zotos International, Inc.
Green Power Purchasing
American University, Bloomberg (News - Alert) L.P., City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Kettle Foods, Lockheed Martin, McDonald’s USA, LLCMOM’s Organic Market, NYSE Euronext, Quinnipiac University, TD Bank, The North Face
Green Power Partner of the Year
City of Austin, Texas, Hilton Worldwide, Microsoft Corporation, University of Oklahoma
Green Power Community of the Year
Beaverton, Oregon Community, Oak Park, Illinois Community
Sustained Excellence in Green Power
Intel Corporation, Kohl’s Department Stores, Staples (News - Alert), Whole Foods Market
Green Power Supplier of the Year
Renewable Choice Energ, ySterling Planet
Innovative Green Power Program of the Year
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant
The 24 award-winning partners were chosen from more than 1,300 partner organizations. Utilities, renewable energy project developers and other green power suppliers were eligible to apply for the Supplier of the Year and Program of the Year awards. EPA also announced the winners of the second annual Green Power Community Challenge, a national competition among communities for the best use of renewable energy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The winner, Oak Park, Illinois, also prevailed in the community challenge for achieving the highest green power percentage of total electricity use— at 92 percent.
For the second consecutive year, Washington, DC, won the challenge for using the most green power annually, with more than 1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). EPA, through the Green Power Partnership, works with partner organizations, over half of which are small businesses and nonprofit organizations, to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use.
Partners are voluntarily using more than 23 billion kWh of green power annually. Through their use of green power, these organizations they avoid carbon pollution equal to that created by the electricity use of more than two million average American homes each year.
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Edited by Brooke Neuman