LOWELL, MA (May 4, 2006) —The
University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) was recognized
today for its leadership in clean energy purchasing. In January,
UMass Lowell purchased enough clean wind energy Renewable Energy
Certificates (RECs) to cover 13% of its annual load for three years.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs announced
that, with this purchase, UMass Lowell is the first agency in the
state to purchase renewable power.
In commemoration of this achievement, several
key speakers came to Lowell, MA to congratulate the University and
to acknowledge its vital
leadership. Speakers at the event included Eric Friedman, Director
of State Sustainability, Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental
Affairs; Anthony Amato, from the Environmental Protection Agency’s
Green Power Partnership; and Mark Crowdis, President of Think Energy.
“With this significant wind energy purchase, The University
of Massachusetts Lowell is contributing to cleaner air and water, combating
global warming, facilitating national security, and reducing impacts
on the Cape from sea level rise. Moreover, they are providing an example
of responsible energy purchasing for over 12,000 students, taking a
leadership position in our nation’s energy future. This purchase
makes good business sense, especially when your business is education,” commented
Think Energy President Mark Crowdis.
UMass Lowell is a member of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Purchasers
(MREP) program, an aggregate purchasing group convened and advised
by Think Energy, Inc. and the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS).
Together, CRS and Think Energy guide MREP members to cost-effective
clean energy purchasing opportunities with the best terms and contracts.
In January 2006, eight MREP members and allies made a collective purchase
of more that 20,500 MWh of RECs, enough to power over 22,800 homes
in Massachusetts for one month. Renewable Energy Certificates represent
the environmental and social benefits of clean energy production. The
RECs purchased by MREP members are supplied by Community Energy, Inc.
and are generated from 100% new wind energy.
About
UMass Lowell
Located in the historic industrial city
of Lowell, 25 miles northwest of Boston, the University of Massachusetts
Lowell campus spans more than 125 acres along the Merrimack River.
More than 12,000 resident and commuter students of all backgrounds
pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well
as professional certificates in the arts, humanities and sciences;
education; engineering; health and environment; and management. The
mission of the University of Massachusetts Lowell is to provide to
students an affordable education of high quality and to focus its scholarship
and public service on assisting sustainable regional economic and social
development in the nation and the world. For more information about
UMass Lowell, visit their website at: www.uml.edu,
or contact Jennifer Hansen at Jennifer_Hansen@uml.edu or
(978) 934-3108. Technical questions about the UMass Lowell REC purchase
should be directed
to Mark Lukitsch at Mark_Lukitsch@uml.edu or
(978) 934-2606.
About
Think Energy
Think Energy, Inc. is a consulting
firm committed to delivering the clean energy economy that will provide
a bright future for all. Think Energy enables its clients to access
the financial, environmental, and energy security benefits of clean
and distributed energy systems and products. The company works primarily
with large energy consumers, helping them find the most economical
strategies for using clean sources of energy to run their businesses.
Think Energy does this by aiding clients with market intelligence,
strategy development, financial analysis, full service procurement,
and public relations. For more information about Think Energy, visit
www.thinkenergy.net or call
(301) 270-0483.
About
the Center for Resource Solutions
The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is
a national nonprofit working to increase the supply and use of renewable
energy. CRS operates national and international programs that design
clean energy policies, identify best practices and create implementation
tools. CRS administers Green-e – the nation’s leading certification
and verification program for renewable energy. Green-e is the most
inclusive national brand for renewable energy, representing the largest
segment of suppliers and purchasers in the nation. Green-e certifies
renewable energy products offered by 100 energy providers. Twenty-three
of these energy providers currently offer Green-e certified renewable
energy products to businesses and institutions in Massachusetts. For
more information about CRS, visit www.resource-solutions.org.
About
Community Energy Inc.
Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) is a marketer
and developer of wind energy generation, founded in 1999 and headquartered
in Wayne, Pennsylvania. CEI has over 2 billion kilowatt-hours of wind
energy sales, 40,000 residential and business customers, and marketing
arrangements with 18 investor-owned and municipal utilities. CEI cites
its utility partners and customers, which include many of the largest
retail purchases of wind energy in the country, as the reason for its
success in bringing wind energy to market in new regions of the country.
CEI has wind projects under development in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic
and Midwest. For more information about CEI, visit www.communityenergy.biz.
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Contact:
Këri
Bolding, CRS Director of Communications and Business Services, kbolding@resource-solutions.org
(415) 561-2100,
or Mark
Crowdis,Think Energy President, mcrowdis@thinkenergy.net 301-270-0482
Center for Resource Solutions
P.O. Box 29512
San Francisco, Ca 94129
news@resource-solutions.org
