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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
3.28.2006 ET
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CSR News from:
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REI Steps Up to 20 Percent Green Power
(CSRwire) Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative
providing quality outdoor gear and apparel, announced at its annual
meeting Monday that it will purchase 10 million kilowatt hours of green
power, or 20 percent of the company's national electricity usage.
The purchase of wind, landfill gas and solar generated electricity will
provide 100 percent of the power for 17 of REI's 82 retail stores, and is
equivalent to the annual use of more than 1,000 average homes. The switch
to renewable resources eliminates over 5,500 tons of CO2, equivalent to
removing more than 1,000 average cars from the road.
"Now in the mountains and clean water in streams and lakes are essential
to REI's mission of helping people enjoy the outdoors," said REI President
and CEO Sally Jewell.
"This is a significant addition to REI's commitment to being good stewards
for the environment," Jewell said. "While our grants program supports the
work of thousands of volunteers caring for public lands and introducing
young people to outdoor recreation, we also are taking a close look at our
business practices to reduce our environmental footprint."
REI has joined the Green Power Partnership, a voluntary partnership
between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and organizations
interested in buying green power. REI's purchase of 10 million kilowatt
hours will place the company among the top 10 retailers in the country
purchasing green power.
REI also has announced that it will be a founding member of the Seattle
Climate Partnership, a group of Seattle employers working together on
climate issues. The new partnership was announced Friday by Seattle Mayor
Greg Nickels.
REI selected qualifying, Green-e certified, renewable energy contracts.
In addition to reducing green house gas emission, in most cases these
contracts also reduce the company's exposure to fossil fuel surcharges.
Purchases include the following stores and suppliers:
Brookfield, Wis.; WE Energies; sources: wind, landfill gas and solar
Madison, Wis.; Alliant Energy/WP&L; sources: wind, landfill gas and
solar Eugene, Ore. ; Eugene Water & Electric; source: wind
Denver, Englewood, Boulder, Grand Junction and Lakewood, Colo.; XCEL
Energy; source: wind Colorado Springs, Colo.; Community Energy;
source: wind Fort Collins, Colo.; Fort Collins Utilities; source:
wind Bloomington and Roseville, Minn.; XCEL Energy; sources: wind
Dallas, Houston (two stores) and Plano, Texas; Green Mountain Energy;
source: wind Pittsburgh; Community Energy; source: wind
REI is an outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and
outfitting its 2.8 million active members and the community for a lifetime
of outdoor adventure. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest
mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores
nationwide, two online stores - REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com - and an
adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from all of
the top brands for human-powered outdoor recreation, including its own line
of award-winning gear and apparel. While anyone may join or shop at REI,
members pay a one-time $15 fee and receive a share in the company's
profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. As an
active supporter of communities in which it does business, REI is
committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to
outdoor recreation through education, gear donations and financial
contributions.
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