The North Face Recognized By EPA As Leader For Commitment And Use Of Green Power Sources
September 30, 2013 /3BL Media/ - The North Face, the world's premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, was awarded today a 2013 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. EPA presented The North Face with the award at an annual event held in conjunction with the 2013 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Austin, Texas on September 23, 2013.
The North Face was one of only eight organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for its green power purchase. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier. The North Face installed a 1 Megawatt solar system at its distribution center in Visalia and worked closely with its parent company VF Outdoor, Inc., and sister brands Lucy and Jansport, to install a 950 kW system at their new headquarters in Alameda, Calif.
Additionally, the EPA recognized The North Face for purchasing nearly 21 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually through renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Bonneville Environmental Foundation. This is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity use. The North Face has also implemented programs such as, “Hot Planet/Cool Athletes” and the Explore Your Parks program to help raise awareness about the impact of climate change and engage communities with the outdoors.
“We believe the success of our business is fundamentally linked to the preservation of our planet and have made sourcing green energy a top priority as a result,” said Adam Mott, senior manager of corporate sustainability at The North Face. “We are proud to receive this award from the EPA and look forward to building on both of our efforts to spread the message that clean energy is a sound business decision.”
The North Face is featured on the EPA’s Top 20 Retail list, which highlights EPA Green Power Partners using the most renewable energy annually as of July 3, 2013. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.
Green power is defined as electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass and low-impact hydro. Using green power accelerates the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector.
According to the EPA, The North Face current green power purchase of nearly 21 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 3,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly more than 2,000 average American homes annually.
“EPA is pleased to recognize The North Face with a Green Power Purchasing award for its exceptional commitment to buying green power and reducing carbon pollution associated with its electricity use,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "In doing so, The North Face has demonstrated leadership in innovation, sustainability and taking action on climate change.”
