SAN DEIGO, Calif. - February 20, 2009 - Leonardo Academy announced today that the International Facility Management Association (IFMA)'s FM-3D conference, being held Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, Calif., has attained Cleaner and Greener(R) Certification, meaning pollution contributing to climate change and human health problems caused by energy use for the event has been offset. Renewable Choice Energy donated 7,920 kWh of renewable energy credits (RECs) and 58.9 metric tons of carbon reductions to offset the event emissions.

The donated emission reduction credits will be retired, offsetting more than 100 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and mercury (Hg) emissions, 10 percent of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 3 percent of particulates that were discharged to the atmosphere from conference facilities, travel, meals, lodging, utilities, and other potential energy use connected to the conference. This equates to more than 144,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 59 pounds of sulfur dioxide, 21 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 2 pounds of particulates, and 0.1 grams of mercury pollution offset for the event.

Conference energy use and emission estimates were prepared by Leonardo Academy, and Renewable Choice Energy donated RECs and carbon offsets to help IFMA's FM-3D event become Cleaner and Greener(R) Certified. A complete description of emissions and offsets for the event is available at http://www.cleanerandgreener.org/eventcertification/events/fm3d2009.html.

"IFMA and Renewable Choice are to be applauded for their commitment to sustainability and willingness to take action to reduce the impacts of conference activities on climate and health," said Michael Arny, president of Leonardo Academy. "I am pleased that our Cleaner and Greener(R) for Events program helped to facilitate and certify this environmental achievement."

"IFMA is committed to advancing sustainability not only through its membership and educational offerings, but also in its many conferences and events," said IFMA President and CEO David J. Brady. "We would like to thank Renewable Choice for their generous contribution and help in reducing the environmental impact of FM-3D and making it a Cleaner and Greener(R) Certified conference."

About the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) - IFMA is the world's largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 19,500 members in 60 countries. The association's members, represented in 125 chapters and 15 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management certificate programs and produces World Workplace, the world's largest facility management conference and exposition. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org.

About Renewable Choice Energy - Renewable Choice is a national leader in providing renewable energy and carbon offsets to businesses, green building (LEED) projects, and individuals across the country. The company's sole mission is to provide opportunities to help move our society toward a more sustainable future. Renewable Choice is an employee-owned company, headquartered at the foothills of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado.

About Leonardo Academy - Leonardo Academy (www.leonardoacademy.org) is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the environment and advancing sustainability. Leonardo Academy is a Think and Do Tank that on the "Think" side develops new approaches, methods, and metrics for sustainability, and on the "Do" side helps companies and organizations, families, and individuals improve the environment and implement sustainability actions.

Leonardo Academy's sustainability work and services include: sustainability assessments and strategy development, LEED(R) and LEED-EB implementation and certification, emissions footprint analysis and emission reduction and offset strategies, sustainable land management, sustainability education and training, and development of ANSI standards on sustainability. Leonardo Academy's Cleaner and Greener(R) Program helps buildings, organizations, and events quantify and offset their emissions and certifies their level of offset achievements.

Leonardo Academy managed the LEED-EB pilot program for the USGBC from 2002-2004 and conducted all LEED-EB certification reviews for the USGBC from January 2002 through September 2006. Michael Arny, president of Leonardo Academy, was the chair of the LEED-EB committee from 2001-2005, guiding the committee’s work on developing this rating system.

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.

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