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Green Mountain Power Receives Environmental Recognition
Green Mountain Power Receives Environmental Recognition
Published 01-09-06
Submitted by Green Mountain Power Corporation
"Green Mountain Power is taking steps to address its environmental impacts. In doing this, the Company has implemented numerous practices that go beyond compliance," said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Jeff Wennberg.
Green Mountain Power serves 90,000 customers within the State of Vermont and sells electricity and energy services to approximately 25% of Vermont's retail electricity customers, serving half of the state's 14 counties. While most of the power-producing facilities in the United States rely on burning coal to generate electricity, Green Mountain Power has among the "greenest" energy portfolios of all power companies in the nation. At present, Green Mountain Power generates electricity without any coal, and only four percent of its generation comes from fossil fuels. (Purchases on the New England wholesale market account for 19 percent of the power mix, but cannot be broken down into fuel source.) More than forty percent of Green Mountain Power's energy comes from renewable sources: hydro, wood and wind.
Examples of Green Mountain Power's "green" practices include eliminating two hazardous waste streams. To accomplish this Green Mountain Power replaced chlorinated solvent-based parts cleaning with non-hazardous citrus-based solvents and aqueous based cleaners. Additionally, Green Mountain Power substituted ethylene glycol antifreeze for less toxic propylene glycol in its vehicles when possible, and recycles the antifreeze on-site for reuse in its vehicles. Green Mountain Power's workspace is very efficient, as the smaller, open-office design uses fewer resources. In addition, the company has invested in energy efficient lighting and "green" building practices in its facilities (i.e. installing recycled tire flooring and carpeting), and diverts hundreds of pounds of solid waste from landfill disposal through its recycling programs.
Other noteworthy practices include not using herbicides on power line rights-of-way, the purchase and use of hybrid and low emission vehicles in its fleet, and subscribing to vehicle idling guidelines to minimize emissions. Green Mountain Power has also started to utilize a 20% biodiesel mixture in its larger vehicles.
According to Chris Dutton, Green Mountain Power's President and Chief Executive Officer, "Energy efficiency and other environmentally friendly practices make as much sense economically as they do for the health of the environment. We're honored to receive this recognition for the work that we do and for making our own office a healthy, positive place to work."
The Vermont Business Environmental Partnership is a voluntary, environmental assistance and business recognition program that is open to any Vermont organization that proactively incorporates sound environmental management practices into their operations. To find out more about the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership, visit the web at http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ead/vbep/index.htm.
Copyright Business Wire 2006
Green Mountain Power Corporation
Green Mountain Power Corporation
Green Mountain Power, an investor-owned electric utility serving one-quarter of Vermont's population, embraces speed, efficiency, open communication and environmental commitment. As a member of Ceres, Green Mountain Power is committed to continuous environmental improvement and uses the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines to report on its environmental, economic and social activities. In 2006, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility named Green Mountain Power "Large Company Leader of the Year." Green Mountain Power owns and operates the largest commercial wind generating station in New England. In 2005, approximately 48 percent of the fuels used to generate electricity came from water, wood and wind.
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