Green Mountain Power Creates B Corp Energy

Environmental advocates: They are leaders in solar, wind and hydroelectric energies with 62 percent of their portfolio in renewables. Empowered employees: They were named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont.” Approachable leadership: Their CEO knows the names, partners’ names and pets’ names of 600+ employees.

Which company am I describing? You might have guessed I was referring to sustainable business poster children like Patagonia, Ben and Jerry’s or Cabot Creamery. Guess again and instead, think “monopoly.” I’m describing the first, publicly regulated utility company to become a Certified B Corp: Vermont’s power provider, Green Mountain Power (GMP).

If you fell out of your chair or stood up and clapped after you read that, your response was appropriate. This is an earth-shattering, groundbreaking accomplishment for both GMP and for the B Corp movement. It means that a utility company is creating power while generating positive impact, a capability not typically associated with traditional fossil-fuel utilities. That’s because GMP is far from traditional.

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Julie is passionate about telling the story of where business meets good. She is the Founder of B Storytelling, a content development company specifically designed to help popularize the good happening through business. They do this by helping Benefit Corporations and other social enterprises identify, build and leverage their brands. Julie has an MBA in Managing for Sustainability from Marlboro Graduate School. She lives in West Palm Beach, Florida with her husband, Thomas.