Sterling Planet Begins Drive for Energy Independence, Using USA-Made Renewable Energy
2,400-mile trek in electric Chevy Volt to be energized at charging stations using clean energy
(3BL Media) Atlanta, GA - June 18, 2012 – Sterling Planet, the nation’s leading retail provider of renewable energy and other carbon-reduction assets, announced today the start of a 2,400-mile tour with stops in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Detroit that will showcase both American ingenuity and domestic clean energy production. The vehicle for this drive for energy independence is a newly purchased Chevrolet Volt, an electric car assembled in Detroit that will be powered along the route at charging stations using 100% renewable energy, such as wind and solar power.
The Chevy Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. For the June 18-22 road trip, Sterling Planet plans to rely almost exclusively on electric operation, recharging the car’s batteries at predetermined stations for a few hours or overnight.
“What’s most unique about this ‘freedom tour’ is that we’re driving an American car, using the latest American technology, and relying as much as possible on charging stations where the power we’re tapping supports clean electricity production using the wind, sun and other clean and non-imported renewable energy sources,” explains Alden Hathaway, senior vice president at Sterling Planet.
Ideally, the journey would be powered by 100% clean energy. “This is the future we’re working to promote,” said Alden Hathaway. “One reason we’re making this trip is to call attention to the need for more charging stations that are fast charging, renewably powered and located at regular intervals along the interstate highway system.”
The tour will also showcase the ability of American technology and energy policy to meet the nation’s need for an energy economy that is both clean and sustainable and is not dependent on foreign oil to meet transportation needs.
The Sterling Planet travelers will stop at the following renewable energy charging stations, hosted mostly by Sterling Planet customers who have committed to renewable energy in the form of wind or solar power: McDonald's, Cary, NC; Pentagon Mall, Arlington, VA; The Tower Companies, Rockville, MD; Grosvenor Markets, Rockville, MD; Phillies Stadium, Philadelphia, PA; General Motors, Detroit, MI; and Kohl's, Indianapolis, IN.
By using more clean, renewable power sources rather than gasoline, derived mostly from oil imports, Sterling Planet will eliminate most of the environmental impacts that would otherwise occur. The trip will avoid approximately 900 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and conserve 45 gallons of gasoline. Plus, the average energy cost per mile is estimated to be less than $0.06, compared to $0.12 for a conventional car. Actual costs and environmental impacts will be reported at the end of the tour.
Highlighting the trip will be a June 20 stop in Philadelphia, where the city is preparing to launch a summer-long campaign to promote renewable energy adoption. Sterling Planet is playing an instrumental role in this program, developing an educational and enrollment website and social media pages to help the city meet its goals for clean air and energy sustainability.
Sterling Planet encourages the public to “follow Sterling Planet on the road to energy independence” and will be posting frequent travel updates this week to Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/sterlingplanet and www.twitter.com/sterlingplanet. #EnergyIndependenceDrive
Sterling Planet leads the nation in retail sales of renewable energy certificates (RECs) and is the only provider of a comprehensive portfolio of carbon-reduction assets – RECs, carbon offsets and innovative White Tags® energy efficiency certificates. Founded in 2000, the Atlanta-based company was the first to offer RECs to retail clients nationwide and was a pioneer in early development and certification of the REC market. This year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks Sterling Planet No. 1 in terms of renewable kWh provided to members of the EPA Green Power Partnership, with more than 5 billion kWh delivered to Partnership members, including the top three purchasers. In compliance markets, Sterling Planet is a leading supplier to government agencies and has partnered with 160 utilities nationwide.
