Green Mountain Energy and Episcopal Power and Light Sign
Agreement to Promote "Green" Electricity StatewidePRNewswire
August 8, 2000
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Mountain Energy Company, California's leading brand of cleaner electricity* and the Episcopal Power and Light Program announced today that they have signed an agreement to expand their "green energy" partnership to include five Episcopal dioceses in the State of California. The Reverend Sally Bingham, Co-Director, Episcopal Power and Light, signed the contract today before the backdrop of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. The agreement is believed to be the nation's first statewide green energy contract with a major religious organization.
"The religious community has a moral responsibility to respond to global warming," said Rev. Bingham. Switching to Green Mountain Energy(SM) is a way for churches and parishioners to put their faith into action."
Said Julie Blunden, president western region for Green Mountain Energy Company, "We are pleased to make this offer in support of the Episcopal Power & Light mission to help churches become energy efficient and support renewable sources of electricity. It is representative of a movement among churches of all denominations to promote environmental stewardship and support products and services that represent cleaner and more environmentally conscientious choices."
Since last fall, when Green Mountain Energy Company signed up Grace Cathedral for its 100% Renewable 2.0(SM) power blend, more than 35 Northern California Episcopal church facilities and individual members representing over 50 parishes have signed up for Green Mountain Energy(SM).
Joining Reverend Bingham at the signing were Tom Bowman, of St. John's in Oakland, from the Commission for the Environment, and Tom Cook, Green Mountain Energysm customer and Co-Chair of the Stewardship of Creation Committee for Grace Cathedral.
Under the terms of this agreement, Green Mountain Energy Company offers a special incentive to Episcopal churches located in one of the three utility territories open for customer choice in California and their individual parishioners. The incentive provides a donation to the parish for each church or parishioner who signs up for Green Mountain Energy(SM) between now and February 8th, 2001.
The Episcopal Power and Light program has inspired other church organizations in states as far away as Maine and New Jersey to promote environmental stewardship through organized affiliate programs. The California Council of Churches plans to start California Interfaith Power and Light in September. Reverend Franklin Vilas, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chatham, NJ and president of an inter-faith organization group called Partners for Environmental Quality, was a featured speaker in support of Green Mountain Energy Company's products when the company launched its services in New Jersey last spring.
Green Mountain Energy Company is a strong advocate for building new renewable energy facilities to change the way power is made. "The current shortage of energy supply has contributed to the seasonal price spikes in California and other parts of the country. This presents an opportunity to make building more renewable energy facilities an important part of the solution to future supply shortages," said Blunden.
Since 1998, Green Mountain Energy Company has spurred development of five new renewable projects, which represent the first small, but important steps to begin to reduce air pollution caused by coal burning electricity generation.
April 22, 1999 -- the largest solar generation facility in Pennsylvania located outside of Philadelphia.
July 28, 1999 -- three new 700kW Wind Turbines in San Gorgonio Pass in California.
October 19, 1999 -- A 132kW Solar Power Plant called located in Hopland, CA.
May 1, 2000 -- The 10.4 MW Green Mountain Wind Farm, the largest in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the eastern U.S. is completed in Garrett PA.
September 2000 -- 100kW solar power system on top of the PowerLight Corporation's new solar panel manufacturing facility scheduled for completion. It will be the largest solar facility in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Based on an April 2000 consumer awareness survey.
NOTE: The term "green " and/or "greener" as it is used by Green Mountain Energy Company refers to electricity produced from renewable resources like wind, sun and hydropower which are dramatically cleaner than typical regional system power.
About Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain Energy Company (www.GreenMountain.com) is a leading provider of environmentally cleaner electricity to residential customers in California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey through its Green Mountain Energy(SM) brand. Green Mountain Energy(SM) products feature cleaner and renewable generation sources that are dramatically cleaner than typical regional system power.
About Episcopal Power and Light
Episcopal Power and Light is a national organization that promotes environmental stewardship, renewable energy, energy efficiency and response to global climate change among members of Episcopal churches nationwide. Contact Rev. Sally Bingham (ecosal@aol.com).
Contact: Suzie Quinn of Green Mountain Energy Company, 802-846-6315, suzie.quinn@greenmountain.com