CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwire - June 24, 2010) - Massachusetts energy consumers participating in the "Governor's Clean Energy Challenge" (the Challenge) reduced CO2 emissions by a total of 9.24 percent between Q1 2009 and Q1 2010, according to an analysis of utility consumption data conducted by the New England Clean Energy Council (the Council). Given that the initial goal of the Challenge was to reduce emissions by 10 percent over three years, these latest findings show that large and small businesses have moved aggressively to meet this goal in the first year.
The Council partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources in March 2009 to launch the Challenge, with sponsorship by NSTAR, National Grid, Western Mass Electric, Cape Light Compact, Unitil, and Bay State Gas. Aimed at helping Massachusetts-based operating companies, service providers, and nonprofits save energy and money, the Challenge has prompted participants to decrease emissions resulting from electric use by an aggregate 9.9 percent and decrease emissions resulting from gas use by 7.5 percent from Q1 2009 to Q1 2010.
More than 100 Massachusetts organizations are currently participating, including Boston Scientific, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Legal Sea Foods, Staples, Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, Whole Foods, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
"The Challenge, which draws the continuous support of Governor Deval Patrick, is providing part of the roadmap to help Massachusetts-based companies become clean energy leaders," said Council President Peter Rothstein. "These companies have made great strides, and their progress so far indicates they will do even better going forward. The Council and our partners will keep working hard to help participants further reduce their GHG emissions."
"The success of the Governor's Clean Energy Challenge participants in achieving these levels of energy savings is encouraging," said Phil Giudice, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. "Massachusetts has aggressive, nation-leading energy efficiency goals and we're going to need every homeowner, renter, small and large business, and state and local government to look for more ways to save energy. As the Challenge participants are finding, there are many benefits to reducing energy use: saving money, increasing the comfort and value of buildings, and reducing carbon pollution."
For additional information please visit www.governorscleanenergychallenge.com.
About The Council
The New England Clean Energy Council was formed in early 2007. The Council's mission is to accelerate New England's clean energy economy to global leadership by building an active community of stakeholders and a world-class cluster of clean energy companies. The Council represents over 175 members, comprising clean energy companies, venture investors, major financial institutions, local universities and colleges, industry associations, area utilities, labor and large commercial end-users. The Council's ranks include more than 60 clean energy CEOs, representatives from most of the region's top 10 law firms, and partners from over a dozen of the region's top venture capital firms (with a total of over $8 billion under management). Working with its stakeholders, the Council develops and executes a wide array of programs in five key focus areas: Innovation, Growth, Education and Training, Adoption, & Policy. For additional information please visit www.cleanenergycouncil.org.
Contact Information:
Media Contact
LaunchSquad for the Governor's Clean Energy Challenge
Katie Cinnamond
Katie {at} launchsquad {dot} com
914-646-2097