Santa Clara University's electricity just got a little greener. The University's purchase of 11,256 megawatt hours of renewable energy, equal to the annual output of three and a half large-scale wind turbines, represents over one third of the University's annual electricity use.
The purchase was made through Santa Clara Green Power, a 100 percent renewable energy program sponsored by Silicon Valley Power (SVP), the City of Santa Clara's municipal electric utility.
This action underscores the University's ongoing commitment to renewable energy, and establishes the University as the largest purchaser in Santa Clara's nationally acclaimed green power program.
"This purchase is just one of many actions the University is taking to develop a culture of sustainability for our students, faculty, and staff," says Lindsey Cromwell, Sustainability Coordinator for Santa Clara University.
"The Santa Clara Green Power program provides an opportunity to support renewable energy, a major initiative as we strive to reduce the University's environmental impact."
The carbon dioxide reduction for the purchase is equivalent to planting 6,003 acres of trees or taking 1,560 cars off the road every year. The commitment makes the University a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership's exclusive Green Power Leadership Club.
Santa Clara University is one of more than 130 businesses and nearly 4,000 households participating in the growing Santa Clara Green Power program.
"The University's leadership in sustainability is a great example of advocacy through action," says Larry Owens, Division Manager of Customer Services for SVP. "Their accomplishments are outstanding and we are proud to be a partner in their efforts."
SVP will purchase Green-e certified renewable energy credits on behalf of Santa Clara University's facilities from newly constructed wind farms located within the western United States.
