In a bid to help stimulate the market for green power, as well as reduce its impact on the environment, Intel (News - Alert) Corporation is purchasing over 1.3 billion kilowatt hours of renewable energy certificates a year.
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) are the "currency" of the renewable energy market.
This purchase pushes Intel to the forefront of green power and makes it the single-largest purchaser of green power in the United States according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
"EPA applauds our Fortune 500 partners for protecting our environment by purchasing green power," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By voluntarily shifting to renewable energy, Intel is proving you don't need to wait for a signal in order to go green."
The EPA has estimated that the annual impact of Intel's REC purchase is equal to taking more than 185,000 passenger cars off the road each year, or avoiding the amount of electricity needed to power more than 130,000 average American homes.
"We have a long history of commitment to the environment and energy efficiency is an important consideration in everything we do, from building transistors to designing microprocessors and running our factories," expalined Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini in a statement to the press. "Our renewable purchase is just one part of a multi-faceted approach to protect the environment, and one that we hope spurs additional development and demand for renewable energy."
Intel's purchase includes wind, solar and hydro-electric and biomass sources which will be handled by Sterling Planet, a supplier of renewable energy, energy efficient and low-carbon solutions.
"Intel's outstanding commitment to renewable energy provides significant support for market-based mechanisms for renewable energy technologies of all types," said Mel Jones, Sterling Planet president and CEO. "We commend Intel for their vision and leadership in all aspects of corporate responsibility. Intel's support for renewable energy technologies echoes its mission to deliver advancements that become essential to the way we work and live."
The Purchase will be certified by non-profit Center for Resource Solutions' Green-e program which certifies and verifies green power products.
Stefania Viscusi is an established writer and avid reader. To see more of her articles, please visit Stefania Viscusi’s columnist page.
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