May 18 2010
Recently, American University has bought wind-produced renewable energy credits (RECs) equal to 100% of the 53 million kWh of yearly electricity consumption of the university, which also equal to planting 451,434 grown-up trees per year.
According to the Green Power Partnership of the EPA, American University is ahead of University of California, Santa Cruz, in terms of purchasing green power. Currently, American University is the country’s 12th largest buyer of 100% green power, joining Fortune 500 organizations and companies such as Whole Foods Market, The Tower Companies and The World Bank Group.
Green energy is produced from renewable sources including biogas, biomass, geothermal, wind, low-impact hydropower and solar. The RECs for American University are provided by Renewable Choice Energy by means of the Langdon Wind Energy Center.
Renewable energy plants produce RECs when they generate electrical energy. The purchase of such credits is known to address the electricity consumption’s greenhouse gas emissions. The purchase of renewable energy credits by American University signifies a crucial step in the plan of the university to achieve carbon-neutrality, which is part of the university’s participation in the Climate Commitment of the American College and University Presidents.
The sustainability programs of American University are widely known. Recently, the EPA honored the university in its 2009-2010 College and University Green Power Challenge. Moreover, the Princeton Review has included the university in its Guide to Green Colleges.
Source: http://www.american.edu/