Recreational Equipment Inc. will purchase an additional 1 million kilowatt hours of wind power annually to supply its three stores in Maryland.

“Global warming resulting from greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels threatens the ecology of the planet,” said Kevin Hagen, REI corporate social responsibility program manager. “As a retailer that promotes the responsible enjoyment of the outdoors and active conservation, we believe it is appropriate to look at our business operations to reduce negative impacts on the environment.”

Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) helped REI broker the wind power purchase for REI stores in Timonium, Rockville and College Park. The product combines an energy supply contract with Pepco Energy Services with Green-e certified renewable energy contracts (RECs) provided by Sterling Planet.

“REI customers love the outdoors and REI is making the most direct commitment any retailer can make to protect the outdoors by buying clean energy to stop global warming and air pollution,” said Gary Skulnik, CEP executive director.

The addition of the three Maryland stores brings the total number of stores powered by renewable energy to 20 out of 85. Sources of green power include wind, landfill gas and solar and represent more than 20% of REI’s electrical use. The total annual purchase is more than 11 million kilowatt hours, equal to the electricity needed to power more than 1,100 homes. The switch to renewable resources also eliminates more than 6,000 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing more than 1,100 cars from the road.

REI’s green power purchases ranks it among the top 10 retail members of Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership.

REI has committed to purchasing 100% of its electricity from new renewable energy resources in any region where qualifying, Green-e certified, green power contracts are available. In addition to the Maryland stores, other purchases include the following stores and suppliers:

  • Brookfield, Wis.; WE Energies; sources: wind, landfill gas and solar
  • Madison, Wis.; Alliant Energy/WP&L; sources: wind, landfill gas and solar
  • Eugene, Ore.; Eugene Water & Electric; source: wind
  • Denver, Englewood, Boulder, Grand Junction and Lakewood, Colo.; XCEL Energy; source: wind
  • Colorado Springs, Colo.; Community Energy; source: wind
  • Fort Collins, Colo.; Fort Collins Utilities; source: wind
  • Bloomington and Roseville, Minn.; XCEL Energy; source: wind
  • Dallas, Houston, Willowbrook and Plano, Texas; Green Mountain Energy; source: wind
  • Pittsburgh; Community Energy; source: wind