Green Mountain Energy Company Celebrates 15 Years of Changing the Way Power is Made

Milestone brings reflections on the past and visions for the future

AUSTIN, TX – Today Green Mountain Energy Company celebrates 15 years as a green power pioneer, providing clean energy solutions for residential and business customers across the U.S. Since Green Mountain’s inception, its customers have helped avoid more than 19.4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by choosing renewable energy. That's like taking over 1.7 million cars off the road for a year. In addition, demand from Green Mountain’s customers has helped develop over 50 new wind and solar facilities across the U.S.

“Today we’re celebrating a milestone, not only for our company, but also the renewable energy industry at large,” said James Steffes, president and CEO, Green Mountain Energy Company. “At 15 years strong, Green Mountain continues to deliver on its mission to change the way power is made. We’re only able to do this thanks to our customers’ commitment and the hard work and passion of our employees.”

To mark this milestone, the company developed an infographic that reflects how far renewable energy has come since Green Mountain pioneered the voluntary market in 1997 and what the future of clean energy could look like 15 years from now:

  • Twenty-eight times as much wind energy is produced in the U.S. today than in 1997.1
  • The U.S. clean energy sector has grown at a rate of 8.3 percent annually, nearly double the growth rate of the overall economy. 2
  • If every household in the U.S. chose pollution-free electricity, we could avoid 1.5 trillion pounds of CO2 emissions – that’s like shutting down 170 coal-fired power plants. 3
  • 800 billion kilowatt-hours of solar energy could be produced if we filled every eligible home and business rooftop in the U.S. with solar panels. That’s enough to provide one-fifth of the nation’s annual electricity needs! 4
  • 15 years from now, 12 million Americans are projected to have traded in their conventional gas-powered cars for electric vehicles – that could avoid more than 6,800 million gallons of gasoline and save drivers $20.9 billion in fuel costs each year! 5

To celebrate its birthday, Green Mountain is giving the gift of solar energy to a lucky homeowner through its “Bring Sunshine Home” Sweepstakes. The soon to be announced winner will receive a $15,000 solar array home installation. In addition to making a positive environmental impact, this solar panel installation will also help reduce energy bills for the homeowner.

“Given the rapid adoption of and continued appetite for renewable energy and the positive environmental impact it delivers, we’re looking towards a bright future,” continued Steffes.

Green Mountain employees enjoyed a green birthday party in each of the company’s seven offices to commemorate the day. For a look into Green Mountain’s celebrations, visit the company’s Flickr photostream: www.flickr.com/photos/greenmtnenergy/.

Green Mountain invites comments and pictures about the clean energy future that you envision on its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GreenMountainEnergyCompany.

Green Mountain Energy Company

Green Mountain is the nation’s leading competitive retail provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. Founded in 1997, the company celebrates 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made” and is the longest serving green power marketer in the nation. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, as well as a variety of carbon offset products and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 19.4 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. Visit us online at www.GreenMountain.com and learn more about our campaign for good at www.greenmountain.com/forgood.

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“Electric Power Monthly: Table 5.1. Retail Sales of Electricity to Ultimate Customers: Total by End-Use Sector, 2002-May 2012.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, 26 July 2012. <http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_1>

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“Renewable and Alternative Fuels: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Data: Table V1.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, 4 May 2012. <http://www.eia.gov/renewable/afv/>