$50,000 donation helps organization reach goal of reducing waste by 75 percent in the next two years
Galveston, TX – The Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ accelerated new recycling efforts at Moody Gardens® today with the dedication of solar-powered recycling stations, trash compactors, and a solar-powered maintenance cart. The new receptacles contribute to the non-profit’s efforts to reduce its landfill-bound waste production by 75% in the next two years. The Sun Club is a unique program enabling Green Mountain Energy Company employees and residential customers, including many in the Galveston and Houston areas, to donate solar power to non-profit organizations like Moody Gardens.
“We’re excited to kick-start our new recycling program with the help of the Sun Club,” said Robert Callies, general manager, Moody Gardens. “It’s rare for Texans to look forward to the hot, sunny days of summer, but this year, Moody Gardens knows that all of that sunshine is making a difference for us, and for our planet. We’re grateful for the Sun Club’s generosity and the help of Green Mountain Energy in this new endeavor.”
The $50,000 donation includes educational signage on the recycling stations that explains the benefits of solar energy. Moody Gardens incorporates a love of nature into all that they do, and teaching visitors about preserving the environment will now have added solar educational content.
“This is a unique application of solar energy, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life at an organization as environmentally friendly as Moody Gardens,” said Tony Napolillo, Sun Club program manager, Green Mountain Energy Company. “We’re proud to help Moody Gardens in its quest to reduce its landfill-bound trash so dramatically. I also encourage our Houston/Galveston-area Sun Club members to visit the attractions to see how their contributions are helping a worthy organization reduce its environmental impact while promoting solar power.”
In addition to the solar installations, Moody Gardens is the third recipient of the Sun Club Solar Leader Award and new member of the Sun Club Hall of Fame. The Sun Club Hall of Fame is a group of exceptionalÂÂ Sun Club donation recipients who seamlessly incorporate their solar power into their initiatives and serve as a role model for organizations looking to adopt more sustainable practices.
Pictures of the donation will be added to Green Mountain Energy’s Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenmtnenergy/
Nominations Now Open for Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM Solar Applicants
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is now accepting nominations for non-profits interested in receiving solar awards. The Sun Club awards solar energy and related educational information to non-profits interested in reducing their environmental impact, supporting renewable energy and educating their supporters on the importance of sustainability. Encourage a deserving non-profit to apply by August 2, 2013 at www.gmsunclub.com/apply-for-a-donation/.
Moody Gardens ®
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research. For more information, call 1-800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org.
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers and employees have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has helped install more than 550 kilowatts of solar power, preventing more than 850,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. That’s like planting 100 trees every year. For more information, visit www.gmsunclub.com.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s longest serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. Founded in 1997, the company is a green power pioneer and celebrates more than 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made.” 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 24.5 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. Visit us online at www.GreenMountain.com.
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