More and more businesses and households in the US are embracing renewable energy. In fact, some of the biggest companies in the nation have adopted green power in a major way.
The Environmental Protection Agency publishes a list of the top fifty green power users, ranked by the total amount of green energy used. The method, of course, favors large companies over smaller users and neglects the many small businesses that have adopted renewable power. The EPA list also reveals the percentage of total electricity provided by renewable sources.
Remarkably, 16 of the top 50 companies get 100% of their electricity from green power sources. These include household names such as Intel, Kohl’s Department Stores, Whole Foods Market, and Staples. Apple and Microsoft are not far behind using 85% and 80% green power, respectively.
Walmart made the list of the top five green power users, although it only gets 4% of its electricity from renewable sources. It has such a huge number of stores to power. However, the company is committed to installing solar power on at least 1,000 rooftops by 2020.
The widespread adoption of green power is happening for many reasons. Some of these companies place great intrinsic value on environmental stewardship. Some seek the public relations benefits of going green. Many simply realize that switching to renewables makes good economic sense.
Whatever the reasons for the greening of American industry, it is a trend that is beneficial and desirable.
***********
Web Links
National Top 50 (EPA)
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/top50.htm
Photo, taken on May 20, 2011, courtesy of Walmart via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.