EPA Recognizes Steelcase Inc. with Green Power Leadership Award
National Awards Honor Leading Green Power Purchasers
September 15, 2009 – Grand Rapids, MI – Steelcase Inc. announced today that it has received a 2009 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country’s leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. EPA presented Steelcase with the award at an event held in conjunction with the 2009 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Steelcase was one of only ten organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for its green power purchase. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier. Steelcase is currently purchasing nearly 29 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 21 percent of the organization’s electricity use. Steelcase worked with Renewable Choice Energy to meet their investment goals.
“We are proud to receive this prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said Angela Nahikian, Director, Global Environmental Sustainability, Steelcase Inc. “Purchasing green power is one way we are working to achieve our goal of reducing our environmental footprint 25% by 2012. Beyond our own initiative, we hope the unique model through which we made this long-term investment in wind power provides a framework for others seeking to invest more directly in clean sources of energy – and provides proof that reducing climate impact can be a sound business decision.”
Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.
“EPA’s Green Power Leadership award winners are raising the bar for green power purchasing,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of EPA’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division. “By using renewable energy, Steelcase USA is helping our environment by leading our national transition to clean energy; they are a model for others to follow.”
According to the U.S. EPA, Steelcase USA’s current green power purchase of nearly 29 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 4,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than nearly 3,000 average American homes annually.
About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase Inc. helps create great experiences – wherever work happens. Our brands offer a comprehensive portfolio of workplace furnishings, products and services, inspired by nearly 100 years of insight gained serving the world’s leading organizations. We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including over 800 dealers. We design for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Steelcase is a global, publically traded company leading our industry with 2009 revenue of approximately $3.2 billion.
About EPA’s Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,000 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visithttp://www.epa.gov/greenpower.
About the Green Power Leadership Awards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-sponsors the annual Green Power Leadership Awards in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Center for Resource Solutions. EPA recognizes winners in the following awards categories: Green Power Partner of the Year, On-site Generation, and Green Power Purchase. EPA’s Purchaser awards recognize the exceptional achievement among EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through green power procurement, market leadership, overall green power strategy, and overall impact on the green power market. The Awards are held in conjunction with the Renewable Energy Markets Conference. For additional information please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/.
Contact:
Jeanine Holquist
616.698.3765
jholquis@steelcase.com