In a move that underscores the company's commitment to being part of the solution, prAna announces the prAna Natural Power Initiative, which will provide renewable wind energy to 100 of its retailers across the nation.

Electricity production is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change. PrAna is making strides toward working against climate change by making a 3,000,000 KW Hours (3000 MW Hours) commitment of renewable energy in the form of wind power.

PrAna's wind power initiative will prevent the release of 3,657,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), a leading global warming gas. This has the impact of planting 494 acres of trees or removing 319 average passenger vehicles from U.S. roadways each year.

“PrAna is synonymous with breath. Investing in wind as a natural source of power is a perfect fit for us,” said Beaver Theodosakis, founder and owner of prAna.

PrAna will launch its Initiative this fall starting with 100 of its retailers, with the intention of bringing on board all prAna dealers.

“This is one of the most effective ways to begin the conversation with our customers directly about the things that matter the most,” Theodosakis said. “Each store will be given a signage (including stickers) noting that 100% of that stores electricity will be offset by a natural, clean renewable source.”

The prAna Natural Power Initiative will offset energy with the purchase of Green-e certified tradable renewable energy certificates (RECs), supplied by 3 Phases Energy Services (www.3phases.com), a Green e certified wind power provider.

REC's represent the environmental benefits of clean energy production that serve to take the place of other non-renewable sources from the regional and national electric grid.

Additionally, prAna's commitment will invest in the future of wind power, ensuring the formation of new wind farms and bolstering existing farms to create a wider base for future wind power production.

Wind power is a clean and renewable energy source that produces no greenhouse gas emissions or waste products. This energy will be integrated directly into the regional and national electric grid, thereby reducing the emissions from one of the planet¹s largest pollutants, electrical energy generation.

Conventional power plants within the United States are responsible for
roughly:

  • Two-thirds of the Earth's pollutants that result in acid rain
  • Half of the world's nuclear waste
  • One-third of our global warming pollution
  • One-third of the air pollutants that are a chief cause of respiratory-related hospital admissions for children and senior citizens.

The outdoor industry has seen an unprecedented awareness to sustainable business practices and conservation in the past year. At prAna, we've listened to many retailers inquire about how to make their businesses run cleaner, with less of an impact on the earth and its resources. Wind power is one way that all of our businesses can create positive and sustainable change.

PrAna hopes that with the Natural Power Initiative, more businesses within the outdoor market and beyond will view wind power and renewable energy sources as a vital way to make a contribution toward sustainable business practices. PrAna will also be off-setting 100% of the electrical energy use of its Vista, Calif., headquarters and the homes of all of its full-time employees beginning in fall, 2005.