WASHINGTON, DC. - October 1, 2008 - Leonardo Academy announced today that the World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC) Conference, being held October 1-3 in Washington, DC, has attained Cleaner and Greener(R) certification, meaning pollution contributing to climate change and human health problems caused by energy use at the event has been offset.FuelCell Energy, Inc. donated over 2,600 megawatt hours of emission reduction certificates from their Direct FuelCell(R) power plants in Connecticut.

The donated emission reduction credits will be retired, offsetting over 2.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), 3,800 pounds of sulfur dioxide (SO2), 3,800 pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 197 pounds of large particulates (PM10), 157 pounds of small particulates (PM2.5), and nearly half of the mercury (Hg) pollution that was discharged to the atmosphere from conference facilities, travel, meals, lodging, utilities, and other potential energy use connected to the conference.

Conference energy use and emission estimates were prepared by Leonardo Academy and FuelCell Energy donated offsets to help the World Energy Engineering Congress become Cleaner and Greener Certified at the Silver Level. A complete description of emissions and offsets for the event is available at www.cleanerandgreener.org/eventcertification/events/weec2008.html.

Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy, said about this achievement, "The World Energy Engineering Congress and FuelCell Energy are commended for their commitment to increasing sustainability and to reducing emissions with highly efficiency generation." He added, "I am proud that our Cleaner and Greener(R) Event Certification program has participated in this documented achievement in environmental stewardship."

LEONARDO ACADEMY - Leonardo Academy (www.leonardoacademy.org) is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sustainability. Leonardo Academy is a Think and Do tank that develops new approaches, methods and metrics for sustainability and Also helps companies and organizations, buildings, events, families and individuals achieve sustainability. Leonardo Academy help building owners with LEED implementation and certification and Leonardo Academy's Cleaner and Greener(R) Program supports the development and certification of emissions footprints and reduction and offset strategies.

FUELCELL ENERGY - FuelCell Energy (www.fuelcellenergy.com) develops and markets ultra-clean power plants that generate electricity with up to twice the efficiency of conventional fossil fuel plants and with virtually no air pollution. Creating energy from self-contained reactions, fuel cells produce base load electricity where commercial and industrial customers face cost, reliability, security or environmental issues with their existing energy supplies.

Leonardo Academy

Leonardo Academy

Leonardo Academy is a charitable (501c3)nonprofit that promotes sustainability. Our primary focus is developing and supporting approaches to environmental improvement that put the competitive market to work on improving the environment. Work includes: Cleaner and Greener® recognition and certification program for emission reduction actions by companies, organizations, events, families and individuals - Key role in authoring and supporting U.S. Green Building Council' LEED® for Existing Buildings Rating System, Supporting development, implementation and documentation of LEED projects - Sustainability training and education - Prairie and savannah restoration - ANSI Accredited Standard Developer: Developing ANSI standard for emissions inventories, emission reduction credits and offsets.

More from Leonardo Academy