NEWS RELEASE: WRI Lauds APA for Greening Two D.C. Buildings
WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2003 -- The World Resources Institute (WRI) and Think Energy, Inc. applauded the American Psychological Association (APA) and its property manager, Trammell Crow Company, today for the purchase of more than 20 million kilowatt hours of green power. APA will buy green power from wind and other renewable resources for its two Capitol Hill office buildings equal to 75 percent of their annual electricity consumption.
"As an APA tenant, this purchase will help WRI meet our public commitment to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2005," said Jonathan Lash, president of WRI, which is headquartered in one of the buildings. "We invite every major landlord in metropolitan Washington, DC to follow suit and let our nation's capital serve as an example of the environmental benefits of green energy."
Austin-based Green Mountain Energy Company will supply the green power in the form of "renewable energy certificates" (RECs). These certificates represent the environmental benefits created when power from renewable resources such as wind reduces demand from fossil fuels in the nation's electricity system.
"We are proud to be purchasing cost competitive green energy in our headquarters and sharing its benefits with our tenants," said Dr. Norman B. Anderson, chief executive officer of APA.
The green power purchase represents the energy required to power more than 1,800 homes annually. This commitment will prevent the emissions of 19,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to taking more than 3,700 cars off the road for a year.
"Purchasing green power is consistent with our commitment to promoting rewarding business environments for our customers," said Dorothy Holden, senior property manager for Trammell Crow. "As a customer service-oriented company, we were pleased to work with one of our tenants, the World Resources Institute, to find an attractive green power opportunity."
APA and Trammell Crow received assistance from the Green Power Market Development Group, a unique partnership between WRI and 12 major U.S. commercial and industrial companies dedicated to building corporate markets for green power.
It worked with Think Energy, a renewable energy consulting firm, to evaluate green power options and negotiate contract terms.
"It is leadership exhibited by large energy buyers like APA and Trammell Crow that will result in monumental growth in the green power market," said Mark Crowdis, president of Think Energy. "Renewables will provide energy security and clean air benefits for generations to come."
The APA deal is the second green power purchase brokered by WRI and Think Energy in Washington, DC this year. In March, WRI assisted Bethesda-based The Tower Companies with the purchase of 24 million kilowatt hours of green power. Thirteen of Tower's largest office and apartment buildings in the region now receive the benefits of between 25 and 50 percent green power from Pepco Energy Services and Sterling Planet, a RECs provider.
For more information on the World Resources Institute and ways in which any office can become more environmentally friendly, visit WRI's homepage at www.wri.org.