EPA Honors Dell as Major Buyer of Green Power

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored Dell (News - Alert) with the Green Power Leadership Award for 2013. The nation’s major green power purchasers are honored by these yearly awards for their role in aiding the progress of the country’s voluntary green power market. The awards also honor organizations for their dedication to buying green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier.

The Leadership Award was awarded to eight organizations, including Dell, for buying green power. Green power is basically electricity created from environmentally favorable renewable resources, like wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact hydro. Each year, Dell has been buying approximately 218 million kilowatt-hours or kWh of green power, capable of addressing nearly half of Dell’s electricity usage requirement in its U.S. offices.

In a statement, Gina McCarthy, administrator at EPA said, “EPA is pleased to recognize Dell with a Green Power Purchasing award for its exceptional commitment to buying green power and reducing carbon pollution associated with its electricity use. In doing so, Dell has demonstrated leadership in innovation, sustainability, and taking action on climate change.”

The expansion of renewable energy capacity across the country is stepped up with the usage of green power. The usage of green power also aids in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. As per the EPA, Dell’s present green power procurement of approximately 218 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of around 32,000 passenger vehicles annually, which in turn corresponds to nearly 3.9 million tree seedlings grown for a decade.

Dane Parker, vice president of global facilities and EHS at Dell said, “The use of renewable energy has been an important part of Dell’s sustainability programs since 2003, and an integral part of our commitment to Powering the Possible. We are delighted to be recognized by EPA as a leader in green power purchasing.”

Utility green power products are bought by Dell at its facilities in Round Rock, Austin and Plano, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; and Buffalo Grove, IL. Dell also buys enough renewable sourced electricity to operate 16 facilities worldwide.