AUDUBON NEW YORK CHOOSES 100% WIND POWER, ENCOURAGES PROPERLY SITED WIND FARMS
Audubon New York, is leaving a lighter eco-footprint by choosing to support wind power for 100% of the energy used in its New York offices. Audubon performed thorough due diligence on the selected wind farm and vendor to ensure that it was properly sited with minimal impact to birds.
Albany, NY-July 11, 2006- Audubon New York, the state's largest bird conservation organization, is leaving a lighter eco-footprint by choosing to support wind power for 100% of the energy used in its New York offices. Audubon supports environmental protection through this commitment to 50 megawatt hours (MWh) per year of clean, renewable wind energy. Audubon performed thorough due diligence on the selected wind farm and vendor to ensure that it was properly sited with minimal impact to birds, and that it lived up to the standards set forth in Audubon New York's position on wind power (http://ny.audubon.org/wind_power.htm).
Audubon New York will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) through 3 Phases Energy Services, LLC, a national provider of renewable energy solutions. Purchasing RECs supports recently-constructed wind projects, helps provide finance streams for new projects, and creates a base for the construction of new renewable energy generation.
"Reliance on fossil fuels hurts birds, plain and simple," said, David J. Miller, Audubon New York's Executive Director. "Pollution, destruction of habitat from mining, and potentially disastrous global climate change are all significant stresses on birds and other wildlife. Wind power, when sited properly after adequate study, is a better option. Our purchase of these certificates shows that when the issue is climate change and renewable energy, Audubon walks the walk."
Audubon's Green-e Certified® renewable energy certificates will be sourced from the Ainsworth Wind Energy Center, a wind farm in Nebraska. The Green-e® Program certifies that the renewable energy product this customer purchases meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards established by the national non-profit Center for Resource Solutions. This purchase will provide the equivalent environmental benefit of reducing carbon emissions by 91,900 pounds, 34 acres of trees storing carbon for one year, or taking 9 cars off the road annually.
"Modern wind projects undergo a significant amount of review and study for a variety of factors before construction begins," added Miller. "The wind farm developers at Ainsworth Wind Energy Center conducted extensive pre-development avian and environmental impact studies to minimize any potential bird and wildlife impacts. Furthermore, post-development studies found no bird mortality from collisions and no evidence of significant displacement of birds from the habitat on site."
"In our fight against climate change, Audubon New York supports the development of clean renewable energy sources that are ecologically responsible, cost-effective and clean," concluded Miller.
ABOUT AUDUBON NEW YORK
Audubon New York is dedicated to the protection of birds, other wildlife and their habitats through advocacy and education, serving as a program of the National Audubon Society. Through a state board of directors and council, 30 chapters, 50,000 members, a nature center network and sanctuary system, Audubon New York is providing conservation leadership based on sound science.
ABOUT 3 PHASES ENERGY
In operation since 1994, 3 Phases Energy is committed to promoting and implementing renewable energy options for businesses, utilities, governments, and institutions through Green Direct Access, green pricing support services for utilities, retail and wholesale sales of Green Certificates, and onsite efficiency and solar photovoltaic installation. For more information, visit www.3phases.com.
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