Green-Powered Northwest Colleges and Businesses are Reducing Pollution and Fighting Climate Change

EPA Press Release:

Green-Powered Northwest Colleges and Businesses are Reducing Pollution and Fighting Climate Change

Contact: Suzanne Skadowski, EPA Region 10, 206-553-6689, skadowski.suzanne@epa.gov

(April 17, 2013 - Seattle) –– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Green Power Partnership Top 50 Green-Powered organizations using electricity from clean, renewable sources such as solar and wind energy. Several businesses and colleges in the Pacific Northwest are among the best in the nation in increasing renewable energy use.

Microsoft Corporation moved into 2nd place in the Top 50 nationwide by increasing its green power use to nearly 2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. Starbucks Company owned stores moved up to 8^th place by increasing their green power use to nearly 1 billion kWh annually.

Nine northwest colleges in the College & University Green Power Challenge are among the nation’s highest in green power use: University of Washington, Oregon State University, Western Washington University, Gonzaga University, Evergreen State College, Southern Oregon University, Lewis & Clark College, Pacific Lutheran University, and Whitman College.

“We applaud the leadership demonstrated by organizations that are helping reduce carbon pollution and spur the growth of clean, American-made energy sources by increasing their use of renewable energy,” said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “As President Obama has made clear, clean energy is critical to our health, our economy, our security, and our ability to effectively address climate change.”

Green power includes electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources. Green power represents the renewable energy resources and technologies that provide the highest environmental benefit.

As part of EPA’s Green Power Partnership, more than 1,400 organizations are purchasing more than 27 billion kWh of green power annually, avoiding carbon pollution equal to that created by the electricity use of more than 2.8 million American homes. The partnership provides quarterly updated lists of partners using green power including K-12 schools, local government, and technology and telecommunications industries.