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Exelon Will Eliminate Equivalent Of Current Annual Carbon Footprint By 2020
Chicago IL (SPX) Jul 21, 2008 Exelon has unveiled a comprehensive environmental plan that sets the standard for environmental action by a major U.S. energy utility. Called Exelon 2020: A Low-Carbon Roadmap, the plan details an enterprise-wide approach and host of initiatives being pursued by the Exelon family of companies to reduce Exelon's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and those of its customers, communities, suppliers and markets. "The science is overwhelming - climate change is happening now and human activity is the primary cause," said John W. Rowe, Exelon chairman, president and CEO. "As an early member of the U.S. EPA Climate Leaders Program, Exelon has already embraced a low-carbon strategy. Now, under Exelon 2020, we are committing to a much broader, deeper and sustained effort that will drive our business activities going forward." Exelon 2020 sets a goal of reducing, offsetting or displacing more than 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions (in carbon dioxide-equivalent terms) per year by 2020. This is more than the company's current annual carbon footprint and is equivalent to taking nearly 3 million cars off American roads and highways. Through Exelon 2020, Exelon is pursuing three broad strategies: + Reduce or offset Exelon's own carbon footprint by reducing our energy consumption and operating to the highest environmental standards in every aspect of our internal operations and supply chain. + Help our customers and the communities we serve reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through industry-leading energy efficiency programs and a diverse portfolio of green products and services. + Offer more low-carbon electricity in the marketplace by expanding the capacity of our existing low-carbon generation fleet and introducing new low-carbon capacity. This will allow Exelon to displace other, higher-emitting sources of generation and thereby reduce overall emissions in the regions where we operate. + Appropriate public policies are crucial to the success of Exelon 2020. The Exelon companies will continue to advocate for effective federal climate change legislation, workable competitive wholesale markets, federal loan guarantees for new nuclear capacity development, stricter energy efficiency standards, workable renewable resource mandates, R and D funding for renewables and standard practices for offsets. "Without sound, substantial, appropriate and enabling public policy at the federal, regional and state levels, our industry and our society will not be able to address the climate change challenge as quickly, effectively and economically as is required," Rowe noted. A sampling of programs under Exelon 2020 includes: + An initiative to reduce energy consumption across our portfolio of buildings by 25 percent. + An effort to engage suppliers on environmental initiatives and seek voluntary disclosures of their GHG emissions and energy consumption. Exelon was the first North American utility to join the Carbon Disclosure + Project's Supply Leadership Collaboration, and is leading an industry alliance that will set environmental standards for suppliers to utilities. + The implementation of a $250 million, three-year energy efficiency plan by ComEd and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. In accordance with 2007 Illinois energy legislation, the program targets residential and commercial energy savings through more-efficient lighting, heating and cooling, appliance recycling, weatherization and energy audits. In Pennsylvania, PECO is working with policymakers to craft a similar plan that would reduce overall electricity consumption as part of the state's new energy policy. + An expansion of green product and service offerings to wholesale and retail customers. + The potential development by Exelon Power of a 600-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas power plant in Pennsylvania that will displace higher-emitting generation. + The growth of our portfolio of solar, wind, biomass and landfill-gas generation. + The American utility industry accounts for about 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Exelon was one of the first companies in the utility sector to publicly recognize the threat posed by global warming and is a member of the U.S. EPA's Climate Leaders Program. In 2005, the company made a voluntary commitment under the Climate Leaders Program to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 8 percent from 2001 levels by the end of 2008 and is on track to exceed that goal. Exelon's environmental performance has secured its place on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index since 2006 and Carbon Disclosure Project Climate Disclosure Leadership Index since 2005. In 2007, Exelon was the top-ranked utility in the Leadership Index. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Exelon 2020: A Low Carbon Roadmap
Gore urges total shift to renewable energy to avert disaster
Washington (AFP) July 17, 2008Nobel laureate and former US vice president Al Gore echoed president John F. Kennedy on Thursday as he urged Americans to shoot for the moon and make a total shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy in 10 years. |
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