Chico, CA, September 4, 2019 — Founded in Chico in 2002, Klean Kanteen has donated 10 years’ worth of carbon offsets to help the Chico Women’s Club outfit their historic facility, pictured above, with a brand-new solar energy system. Established in 1913, the Chico Women’s Club persists today in supporting arts, education and community life while maintaining a beautiful building that is available for public events.
“Like many Chico residents, Klean employees have come to know the Chico Women’s Club through countless performances, weddings, holiday events and benefit concerts,” said Danielle Cresswell, Senior Sustainability Manager at Klean Kanteen. “Klean is 100-percent committed to reducing emissions that drive global climate change. With such a broad and enduring community benefit, we felt granting our solar fund donation to the Women’s Club building was a perfect fit.”
Over the past 10 years, Klean Kanteen has purchased carbon offsets from Green Mountain Energy Company (GME), with a corporate office in Texas, as a way to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions that result from shipping orders from their website retail store. As part of the purchase agreement, 15% of Klean’s offset purchases were set aside for a solar fund with the intent of donating it to a nonprofit of its choice to create access to renewable energy.
In early 2019, the size of the fund reached a value over $45,000 and Klean Kanteen started looking for a potential donation recipient. Simultaneously, the Chico Women’s Club was undergoing a fundraising effort to renovate their facility for energy efficiency and incorporate a solar energy system. The Klean/GME Solar Fund fully covered costs for installation of insulation in the facility’s attic and west wall, as well as a new insulated and vented roof, and ceiling fans. The fund also paid for purchase and installation of an 8,700-watt solar panel system that was completed in July 2019.
A free open house will be held on Sept. 22 to honor the club’s 106th birthday and give residents an opportunity to view the renovations in person. For more information about Klean Kanteen visit kleankanteen.com
