Washington Gas Energy Services and Sterling Planet Donate $126,000 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Carbon Reduction Fund; Help Plant 1,500 Trees in Frederick, MD
Customers Improve Environment with CleanSteps®
Carbon Offsets
ANNAPOLIS, Md. & HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
A unique public-private collaboration between Washington Gas Energy
Services (WGES), Sterling Planet and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)
reached another milestone today when nearly 100 volunteers, including
more than 40 WGES volunteers, planted 1,500 trees on an eight-acre tract
of land in Frederick, Md. The tree planting will prevent the runoff of
200 pounds of nitrogen pollution a year into a nearby creek that feeds
into Frederick's city drinking water supply. The effort will also
eliminate 1,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution that would
otherwise affect air quality. In addition, checks were presented by WGES
in the amount of $84,000 and by Sterling Planet in the amount of
$42,000, for a total contribution of $126,000 to the Carbon Reduction
Fund managed by CBF. This brings the total combined contributions of
WGES and Sterling Planet to this fund since 2010 to $276,000.
"It is rewarding to know WGES staff and green energy products are making
a real and tangible difference in our community," said Harry Warren,
President of Washington Gas Energy Services. "Through the sale of our
innovative natural gas product matched to locally sourced carbon offsets
and our partnership with CBF, we are helping to reduce greenhouse gases
and improve the air and water quality in our region."
WGES CleanSteps® Carbon Offsets reduce a customer's carbon
footprint by matching local certified carbon offsets with the customer's
natural gas usage. When customers choose WGES as their natural gas
supplier, a portion of their natural gas usage is matched with CleanSteps®
Carbon Offsets, a green product offered by WGES. Customers can
also choose to match 100 percent of their natural gas usage with WGES
CleanSteps® Carbon Offsets. In turn, WGES and Sterling Planet
contribute to the Carbon Reduction Fund to support tree plantings and
other environmental projects that reduce greenhouse gases and improve
water quality. The product and Carbon Reduction Fund were both launched
in September of 2010.
As of April 21, more than 7,900 trees have been planted as a result of
this partnership and funding. Program-funded tree plantings have taken
place in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Talbot and Frederick counties in
Maryland. In addition, Carbon Reduction Fund monies have also been used
to start new nutrient management research and grant programs.
"Sterling Planet, along with WGES, is committed to reinvestment that
builds on the current environmental benefits and creates additional
positive effects for years to come," said Mel Jones, Sterling Planet
President and Chief Executive Officer. "We vigorously support this fund
and similar efforts to reduce carbon loading, increase energy efficiency
and develop additional sources of renewable energy."
"This type of market-driven solution is a key ingredient to the success
of the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts," said Beth McGee, Senior
Scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "We need creative and
cost-effective ways to reduce pollution to our waterways, and this
partnership is one of those solutions."
To learn more about WGES CleanSteps® Carbon Offsets and this
innovative partnership visit www.wges.com/carbonoffsets
or www.cbf.org.
About Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc.
Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. is one of the largest competitive
providers of electricity and natural gas in the mid-Atlantic region and
supplies more than 350,000 customers in Maryland, Delaware, the District
of Columbia, Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 2011, The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) named WGES the Green Power Supplier of the Year in the
non-utility category. Headquartered in Herndon, VA, Washington Gas
Energy Services is an affiliate of Washington Gas and a subsidiary of
WGL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:WGL). www.wges.com
About The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the only independent 501(c)(3)
organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake
Bay and its tributary rivers. Across the six-state Chesapeake watershed,
CBF sets the agenda, serves as a watchdog, and speaks out on behalf of
the Chesapeake Bay to business, government, and the public. www.cbf.org
About Sterling Planet
Sterling Planet has been a national leader in innovative clean energy
solutions since 2000. The first company with a nationwide retail offer
of wind, solar, biomass and other forms of renewable energy, Sterling
Planet has delivered billions of renewable energy kilowatt-hours in both
voluntary and mandated markets. Clients include more than 160 utility
partners, as well as multinational corporations, government agencies,
educational and nonprofit institutions, and individual consumers.
Sterling Planet also offers carbon offsets to counteract greenhouse gas
emissions and White Tags® energy efficiency certificates,
which the company introduced to the U.S. in 2006.
Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc.
Alicia Moran,
410-991-7027
or
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Tom
Zolper, 443-482-2066
Source: Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc.
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