EPA Recognizes Adelphi University for its Investment in Green Power and Inducts the University Into its Green Power Leadership Club

Garden City, NY
March 25, 2010

Adelphi University is proud to announce its purchase of green power and its partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) Green Power Partnership. Adelphi University is purchasing more than 20 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the University’s electricity use. Adelphi University is buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy. This demonstrates a proactive choice to switch away from traditional sources of electricity generation and support cleaner renewable energy alternatives.

"This is a great honor and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott. "Purchasing green power helps Adelphi become more sustainable, while also sending a message to others across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk."

This purchase also qualifies Adelphi University for EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the partnership’s minimum requirement organization-wide.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

"EPA is pleased to welcome Adelphi University to the Green Power Partnership and the prestigious Green Power Leadership Club," said Susan Wickwire, chief of the energy supply and industry branch at EPA. "By purchasing green power, Adelphi University is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and doing its part to fight climate change."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that this purchase of more than 20 million kWh helps avoid a similar amount of CO2 emissions as that produced by nearly 2,757 passenger vehicles annually or the electricity use of 1,873 average American homes. 

Adelphi University has a long-standing commitment to green building and implementing sustainability initiatives. In addition to being recognized for its investment in renewable energy, Adelphi is credited with installing one of the first geothermal heating and cooling systems on Long Island and having the largest geothermal field of its kind on the east coast with four buildings achieving high thermal efficiency and also another residence hall, currently under construction. 

To learn more about Adelphi University’s other green initiatives, visit adelphi.edu/greenau/.

About Adelphi University: Adelphi is a world class, modern university with excellent and highly relevant programs where students prepare for lives of active citizenship and professional careers. Through its schools and programs—The College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, the Schools of Nursing and Social Work—the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,000 students from 41 states and 60 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University, chartered in 1896, maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.

About Renewable Choice Energy: Renewable Choice Energy is a leading national provider of renewable energy credits (RECs) and verified emission reductions (VERs) (carbon offsets) to hundreds of Fortune 500 Companies and small businesses, thousands of residential customers, and over 1000 LEED green building projects in the U.S. Founded in 2001, Boulder-Colo.-based Renewable Choice and its clients have received prestigious awards from the EPA and DOE for supporting and expanding the renewable energy market and have been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, USA TODAY, and more.

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership: The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,000 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

Media Contact
For additional information, please contact:

Kali Chan Director of Media Relations p - 516.877.4040 f - 516.877.3266 e - chan@adelphi.edu