The next best move beyond conserving energy is turning to renewable energy. Clean, pure and endless energy from the sun, wind, water and plants is good for the environment and for business. Renewable energy projects can generate electricity without greenhouse gas output; in fact, they also generate renewable energy certificates (RECs) that businesses can readily and affordably use to neutralize the greenhouse gases associated with up to 100% of their electricity use.
RECs first came on the national scene in 2001, when Sterling Planet delivered the first renewable certificate offer available coast-to-coast, called Green America™. Since then, the company has sold billions of Green-e certified ‘green’ kWh, enough to avert more than 20 billion pounds of carbon dioxide and earn ranking as the leading supplier to business customers. Sterling Planet also teams with electric utilities to deliver ‘green power’ options to their customers and develop new generators using renewable resources.
Founded by utility veterans with expertise in power plant development, Sterling Planet today is developing more than 100 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity. Solar and bioenergy projects in the Southeast, mid-Atlantic region and in Canada’s Ontario province will deliver new renewable energy capacity, beginning in 2008. As these new projects generate new renewable electricity or ‘green power’, they are also being developed to generate Gold Standard carbon offsets. All Sterling Planet projects are being designed and constructed in accordance with the international Gold Standard certification method that recognizes premium projects in the carbon offset markets.
Whether the renewable energy is in the form of green power, RECs or onsite power production, this sustainable energy is viable and gaining significant market traction. Beyond environmental benefits, renewable energy sources increase energy security and boost economic development. According to two studies by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Union of Concerned Scientists, if renewables grew from their current 2% share to supplying 10% of the nation’s electricity by 2020, the following would occur:
Consumer savings: $22.6 billion - $37.7 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills
Jobs: 91,220 new jobs, nearly twice as many as with fossil fuels electricity production
Economic development: $41.5 billion in new capital investment, $2.8 billion in new taxes
Healthier environment: greenhouse gas reductions equal to 32 million disabled cars
Clearly, renewable energy is the future, available today. Sterling Planet caters to businesses of all types, colleges and universities, utilities, other organizations and individuals who want to shrink their carbon footprint.
View our renewable energy fact sheet.