27 Organizations Who Win With Green Power and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Oak Park, Illinois named Green Power Community of the Year by EPA

EPA Honors 27 Organizations for Supporting Green Power 


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently presented its 12th annual Green Power Leadership Awards to 24 Green Power Partners and three suppliers for their achievements in advancing the nation’s renewable electricity market.   The 24 award-winning partners were chosen from more than 1,300 partner organizations.

Because for most municipalities, electricity usage is the single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, by using green power, communities and businesses can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create local jobs, and improve public health.

 

“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.”  - EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
“Green power” is defined as electricity generated from renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas and low-impact hydro.  Green power produces no net increase of greenhouse gas emissions. From purchasing 100-percent green power to installing large-scale solar panel arrays, the EPA's 2012 Green Power Leadership Award Winners help demonstrate that green power makes sense not only for Americans' health and environment but for business' bottom lines.



The 2012 Green Power Leadership Award Winners Are:
  • 

First-ever Sustained Excellence in Green Power: Intel Corporation, Kohl’s Department Stores, Staples, and Whole Foods Market
Green 
  • Power Partner of the Year: City of Austin, Texas; Hilton Worldwide; Microsoft Corporation; and the University of Oklahoma

  • Green Power Community of the Year: Beaverton, Ore. and Oak Park, Ill.

  • Green Power Purchasing: American University; Bloomberg L.P.; City of Philadelphia, Pa.; Hobart and William Smith Colleges; Kettle Foods; Lockheed Martin; McDonald’s USA, LLC; MOM’s Organic Market; NYSE Euronext; Quinnipiac University; TD Bank; and The North Face

  • On-site Generation: Coca-Cola Refreshments and Zotos International, Inc.

  • Green Power Supplier of the Year: Renewable Choice Energy and Sterling Planet

  • Innovative Green Power Program of the Year: Wellesley Municipal Light Plant 


EPA also announced the winners of the second annual Green Power Community Challenge, a national competition between communities to use renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the Green Power Community of the Year award, Oak Park, Ill. also won the community challenge for achieving the highest green power percentage of total electricity use at 92 percent.

Washington, D.C. also won the challenge for a second year in a row for using the most green power annually with more than one billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). 


“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.”  - EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.



P.S.- People always ask me where I get my organic food and personal care products and I love to tell them about The Green PolkaDot Box! Backed by the Organic Consumer's Association and EnvironmentalBooty.com, you can easily buy NonGMO organic groceries, including Harvest Fresh Organic produce, at wholesale pricing online.  It's like a Sam's club but focused on products for green, healthy living! You can even shop by dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegan or diabetic and it all comes right to your front door. Enjoy!

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