This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Center for Resource Solutions honored a group of organizations with the annual Green Power Leadership Awards, recognizing leading national green power purchasers and suppliers. Included in the awards were a few Outdoor and SnowSports companies prAna, Aspen Skiing Company, and Vail Resorts.
The Aspen Skiing company was given the highest honor possible for a green power purchaser, the “Partner of the Year Award.” Both prAna and Vail Resorts were given “Green Power Purchase Awards.” Both Aspen and Vail were recognized for their efforts for run ski services off of renewable green energy sources.
Beaver Theodosakis, founder of prAna said, “Our goal is to raise awareness among consumers, partners and industry peers regarding the benefits of renewable energy. We hope to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and influencers to take stock in the environment through both work and play.” In 2006, prAna's Natural Power initiative offset 17,589 electrical megawatt hours, preventing the emission of 23,252,658 pounds of greenhouse gases the equivalent of removing 2,283 cars off the road or planting 8,789 acres of trees, or converting 1,614 average U.S homes to green energy for one year.
According to a new report released this week by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, at the end of 2005, more than 2,000 megawatts of new renewables capacity was being used to supply green power markets. This represents a 10-fold increase from the year 2000.
