Posted: October 25, 2007 12:55:39 PST
Bellingham officials celebrated today (Oct. 24) the City's recent receipt of a 2007 Green Power Leadership award from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This annual award recognizes leading national green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's green power market.
Bellingham was chosen a Green Power Partner of the Year, the most prestigious of the purchaser awards. Green Power Partner of the Year recognizes partners who distinguish themselves through their purchase, overall strategy, and impact on the green power market.
"We are honored to receive this prestigious award from EPA for our green power purchase," said Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas. "Bellingham is committed to supporting cleaner technologies and helping develop the green power market."
Douglas and others celebrated this latest national green power award during a dedication ceremony held today for a new solar power demonstration project recently installed at the City's Environmental Learning Center.
EPA presented the award to Bellingham at an awards ceremony on Monday, Oct. 22, in conjunction with the 12th National Renewable Marketing Conference taking place in Philadelphia, PA. Bellingham received recognition along with 17 organizations that have demonstrated leadership by voluntarily purchasing green power. Additional information about the Green Power Leadership Awards is available at http://epa.gov/greenpower .
"America is shifting to a 'green culture', with more and more businesses understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility," said Marcus Peacock, EPA's Deputy Administrator. "EPA commends the Green Power Leadership Award winners for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power."
The U.S. EPA recently updated each of its top partner lists, highlighting the largest purchasers in the Green Power Partnership. Bellingham is also currently ranked No. 1 on EPA's National Top 25 Green Power Communities List. "Green power" is defined as electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with zero anthropogenic (caused by humans) carbon dioxide emissions and offer a superior environmental profile to conventional power generation. In addition, buying green power helps support the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide.
In 2005, Bellingham joined the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. In 2006, the Bellingham City Council approved the purchase of 100% of the city's electricity from renewable sources, (such as wind, solar and biomass), through Puget Sound Energy's Green Power program. Research shows that buying 100 percent green power is the most significant step the City of Bellingham can take to protect the climate, eliminating more than 65 percent of the global warming pollution caused by municipal operations.
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Media Contact:
Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas
(360) 676-6979
