3.27.2008 - 12:00pm ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 27, 2008 - The Center for Resource Solutions announced today that Beaulieu Commercial joined Green-e(R) Marketplace by purchasing enough Green-e Certified renewable energy to meet 100% of its annual electricity needs for all of its U.S. operations. Part of the 9,500 MWh purchase was provided through the Tennessee Valley Authority's green power program, called Green Power Switch, which sources local renewable energy from several different resources, including wind, solar, and methane gas. Additionally, Beaulieu also purchased enough Green-e Certified wind energy certificates from Sterling Planet to offset the remainder of their annual electricity use. As a member of Green-e Marketplace, Beaulieu can now display the Green-e logo on its Nexterra tile line to inform consumers that the tile was manufactured with 100% Green-e Certified renewable energy.

"We are pleased that Beaulieu Commercial showed leadership in reducing the environmental impacts of its electricity use," said Aleka Seville, manager of Green-e Marketplace. "By investing in clean energy, the company is recognizing a greater responsibility than just profitability. It is doing its part to mitigate the costs we all share from the pollution created from fossil-fuel energy generation. We hope other companies will follow its lead."

"Beaulieu Commercial continually searches for ways to help protect the environment by looking for opportunities to lower fossil fuel usage. By joining Green-e Marketplace, we not only generate goodwill, pride, and loyalty among our employees, but we are also differentiating our organization through sustainable management practices while addressing the needs of our customers and our communities,” said James Lesslie, president of Beaulieu Commercial.

One REC represents the attributes associated with one megawatt hour of energy from a renewable source. Energy generated from a renewable source results in less environmental waste and pollution, and customers who purchase RECs benefit by displacing other non-renewable sources from the electric grid.

Beaulieu Commercial's purchase of electricity generated from nearly emissions-free renewable sources avoids CO2 emissions and serves to build the market for renewable energy nationwide, increasing the incentives for building new facilities. Currently, renewable energy accounts for around 2% of total electricity generation nationwide.

The RECs purchased by Beaulieu Commercial were certified by Green-e Energy, the leading renewable energy certification and verification program in the U.S. The program provides independent, third-party certification to ensure certified renewable energy meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards, including ensuring RECs are sourced from verified, new facilities; not double-counted towards any state’s renewable energy goal; and retired on behalf of the purchaser. By joining Green-e Marketplace, Beaulieu Commercial is submitting to auditing procedures that verify the company's purchase, allowing them to use the Green-e Marketplace Certified logo.

The Green-e logo, the national symbol for renewable energy excellence, enables a growing number of consumers to easily identify high quality, certified renewable energy options, as well as everyday consumer products that are produced by companies that use renewable energy in their operations.

About Beaulieu Commercial

In recent years, Beaulieu Commercial has established itself on the leading edge of corporate environmental stewardship. In addition to energy conservation and waste management best practices, Beaulieu Commercial is the first carpet manufacturer to include post consumer recycled content in 100% of their products and has an award winning carpet tile backing system that leads the industry with 85% post consumer recycled content. Beaulieu Commercial manufactures and markets stylish, technically superior carpet for all segments of the commercial market under three registered brands, BOLYU Contract, Cambridge Commercial Carpets and Aqua Hospitality Carpets.

About Green-e Marketplace

Green-e Marketplace provides forward-thinking companies with a simple, nationally recognized tool they can use to communicate their commitment to renewable energy to their customers and shareholders. The Green-e logo is the nation's leading symbol of renewable energy excellence and distinguishes Green-e Marketplace participants as environmental leaders. Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products through Green-e Energy, the renewable energy certification program; Green-e Climate, the greenhouse gas emission reduction certification program; and Green-e Marketplace, for organizations that purchase or generate sufficient quantities of renewable energy. To learn more about Green-e, visit www.green-e.org.

About Center for Resource Solutions

Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a San Francisco–based nonprofit with a global impact. CRS brings forth expert responses to climate change issues with the speed and effectiveness necessary to provide real-time solutions. Its leadership through collaboration and environmental innovation builds policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, and energy efficiency that foster healthy and sustained growth in national and international markets.

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