The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its annual Green Power Leadership Awards, recognizing 19 Green Power Partners and four suppliers across the country for achievements in advancing the nation's renewable energy market and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. This year's winners include the cities of Philadelphia and Las Vegas, as well as businesses such as Apple and Kohl's.
‘By using more than 7.6 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually, these communities, businesses and organizations are leading the way in cutting U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions, reducing the impacts of climate change and protecting public health,’ says EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
‘These partners demonstrate that green power is not only a smart business investment, but it's affordable, accessible and it reduces emissions while growing the renewable energy market and spurring innovation.’
The EPA explains that the award-winning partners were chosen for their exemplary use of green power from more than 1,300 organizations that comprise the agency's voluntary Green Power Partnership. Utilities, renewable energy project developers, and other green power suppliers are eligible to apply for the Green Power Supplier award.
This year's winners are listed below in the following categories:
Green Power Partner of the Year: Apple Inc. (Cupertino, Calif.); BD (Franklin Lakes, N.J.); Google Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.); and Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, Okla.).
Green Power Purchasing: City of Houston, Texas; City of Beaverton, Ore.; Town of Peterborough, N.H.; Herman Miller Inc. (Zeeland, Mich.); Philadelphia Insurance Cos. (Bala Cynwyd, Pa.); Steelcase Inc. (Grand Rapids, Mich.); REI (Kent, Wash.); Trek Bicycle Corp. (Waterloo, Wis.); and June Key Delta Community Center (Portland, Ore.).
On-Site Generation: City of Las Vegas and City of Philadelphia.
Sustained Excellence in Green Power: Intel Corp. (Santa Clara, Calif.); and Kohl's Department Stores (Menomonee Falls, Wis.).
Green Power Community of the Year: Medford, Ore., and Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Green Power Supplier of the Year: 3DegreesGroup Inc. (San Francisco); Portland General Electric (Portland, Ore.); Renewable Choice Energy (Boulder, Colo.); and Washington Gas Energy Services (Herndon, Va.).
