The US’s Top 25 Energy Savers

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By Erin Weber

Recently, the EPA published its quarterly report of the top 25 American companies to use alternative power. The ratings are based on self-generated renewable energy, renewable energy purchased from an external source or the purchase of credits to offset consumption. Listed below are 25 organizations and highlights of best practices as well as benefits that are derived by investing in sustainable energy practices.

1. Intel – hopes to bring down the cost of renewable energy by offsetting more kWhs than any other US company
2. PepsiCo
3. Kohl’s Department Stores – partnered with Sun-Edison to install solar panels on 60+ stores
4. Dell – Head office is “carbon neutral” and has subsequently saved $3 million
5. Whole Foods Market – 100% offset since December 2005
6. Pepsi Bottling Company
7. Johnson & Johnson – uses a combination of on-site and purchased renewable energy, as well as offsetting with carbon credits.
8. U.S. Air Force – Began 10 years ago and now approximately 50 bases participate, many with on-site generation
9. Cisco Systems
10. City of Houston – 27% of the city energy comes from readily available wind power
11. City of Dallas
12. (tie) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – has created 3,000 jobs through the development of alternative energy in the state of PA
13. (tie) HSBC North America – First bank to be carbon neutral
14. U.S. EPA
15. Wal-Mart
16. Kimberly-Clark
17. City of Chicago
18. Starbucks
19. University of Pennsylvania
20. DuPont
21. Wells Fargo & Company – Has used its investment power to support renewable energy projects
22. Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts – Burn methane gas that they are required to capture as it’s emitted from the decomposing waste. Also collect the energy emitted as bacteria break down solids during the water treatment process.
23. U.S. Department of Energy
24. PepsiAmericas (the world’s 2^nd largest bottler of Pepsi-Cola products)
25. Vail Resorts

It’s refreshing to see a number of civil organizations listed as well as the variety of creative and strategic uses of available resources based on geographical location and industry.

To learn more, visit: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=top-25-green-energy-leaders

Picture credit: http://www.greenlaunches.com/alternative-energy/walmart-and-others-fit-solar-panels-on-rooftops.php