Verizon Announces Success of its 2008 Conservation Efforts

Verizon has announced that their conservation efforts have been successful and in 2008 alone, the company was able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 303,000 metric tons. This reduction is equivalent to taking more than 55,500 cars off the road.

 

The company said that the U.S. Energy Information Administration has acknowledged Verizon’s (News - Alert) "carbon intensity" to be around nine times below the U.S. average. A pilot project launched by Verizon in 2008 reduced the energy used by computers and monitors by installing software to remotely shut off computers that were not in use. Verizon intends to extend this initiative throughout the company, and expects to save energy equivalent to the annual energy needs of 88,000 homes.

 

Verizon is committed to increasing energy efficiency and bolstering conservation efforts. The company operates the largest fuel cell site of its kind in the nation and operates the Energy Star Award-winning facility in Garden City, N.Y. By using seven fuel cells capable of generating enough electrical power per hour, this facility meets the energy needs of 400 single-family homes.

 

Verizon is also the first telecommunications company to require that the network equipment it purchases be 20 percent more energy efficient. In 2008, it launched an initiative to limit engine idling, electronically delivered approximately 100 million bills to customers, collected more than 1.1 million cell phones, recycled 35.1 million pounds of telecommunications equipment and focused on purchasing goods containing recycled material.

 

Joan Simpson, vice president of green and environmental strategies for Verizon noted that their advanced wireline and wireless networks are dedicated to help their customers connect to what's important for them in greener, more efficient ways.

 

"That same spirit of innovation and commitment to efficiency serves us well as we look for ways to reduce the environmental impact of our own operations."

 

Verizon also intends to continue delivering on its commitment in 2009 and recently signed two marketing agreements that facilitate the deployment of smart power grid projects. In 2009, they said they will also continue upgrading their fiber-optic network with equipment that is four times more efficient and also reduces cooling costs.

 

In addition, Verizon said they are working on new data center designs that reduce energy consumption and associated costs, and installing energy-efficient "thin-client" computers.