Published: April 27, 2009 05:05 pm         

EPA recognizes Sony DADC for green power purchases

Sony DADC recently announced its purchase of green power and its partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership. Sony DADC is purchasing more than 83 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 44 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity use. Sony DADC is buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Community Energy, a leading national supplier of green power products.

“The purchase of renewable energy is one of many critical initiatives we are doing to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Michael Frey, President, Sony DADC Americas. “Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable, while also sending a message to others across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk.”

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.

“America is shifting to a ‘green culture,’ with more and more businesses taking important steps to combat climate change,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the EPA.

According to the U.S. EPA, Sony’s green power purchase is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 11,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 8,000 average American homes annually.

In addition to the green power purchase, Sony DADC has over 100 projects aimed at reducing energy consumption, recycling water and material, controlling the use of chemical substances, and preserving the environment.