Oct 7 2008
Esurance, the direct to consumer auto insurance company, announced its induction into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Power Leadership Club. With the recent purchase of nearly 4 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of wind power, Esurance offset 100% of the electricity used in each of its permanent offices across the United States and joins leading organizations within the U.S. that invest in renewable energy. Esurance's renewable energy certificates (RECs) were purchased from Carbonfund.org and come from wind farms in Texas.
"We are very proud to be recognized by the U.S. EPA for our support of renewable energy sources," said Esurance CEO Gary Tolman. "Purchasing wind power helps our organization become more sustainable, one of our company's strategic long-term goals. American consumers now rightfully expect that companies will do their part to protect our natural resources, which makes supporting clean sources of energy a sound business decision. As an insurance company, we are also well aware of the effects of climate change. Investing in renewable energy sources is an important step in reducing our dependence on energy sources that negatively impact our environment."
The EPA's Green Power Leadership Club is a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded the EPA's minimum purchase requirements and is a part of the EPA's voluntary Green Power Partnership program. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the Partnership's minimum requirement organization-wide. Esurance's purchase of green power equates to taking nearly 1000 passenger cars off the road or powering 400 average American homes annually.
Stated EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, "America is shifting to a 'green culture,' with more and more people understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility. The EPA commends Esurance for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power."
Concluded Tolman, "By joining the EPA's Green Power Partnership Leadership Club, Esurance joins a great group of companies who are taking steps to help protect our environment by investing in green power."
For more information about all of Esurance's environmental initiatives, please visit: http://www.esurance.com/home/environment.asp.