EPA Recognizes 3 Climate Leaders for Reducing GHGs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program has recognized Exelon Corporation, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), and Raytheon Company for lowering their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Exelon, one of the nation's largest electric and gas utilities, joined Climate Leaders in 2003 and set a goal of reducing its total annual GHG emissions by 8 percent from 2001 to 2008. Exelon surpassed its goal by reducing its total GHG emissions by 38 percent as of the end of 2008.
Exelon achieved its greatest emissions reductions by retiring less efficient, higher-emitting fossil fuel power plants in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas; reducing leakage of GHGs, including sulfur hexafluoride, from its electricity transmission and distribution systems and natural gas delivery systems; increasing energy efficiency in its buildings; and increasing the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet. Among its many initiatives to address climate change, Exelon:
- Renovated its Chicago headquarters, which became the world's largest office space to earn LEED Platinum certification for Commercial Interiors.
- Added thousands of alternative fuel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to its fleet.
- Rolled out robust energy efficiency programs to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
- Became the first U.S.-based utility to join the CDP Supply Chain Leadership Collaboration, and co-founded the Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance.
- Expanded its renewable energy portfolio to nearly 2,000 MW, including hydroelectric, wind, landfill gas and solar.
Exelon continues to work toward the goal of Exelon 2020 to reduce, offset or displace more than 15 million metric tons of GHG emissions per year by 2020. This is more than Exelon's carbon footprint in 2001, its first full year of operation, and equivalent to taking more than 3 million cars off the road.
PSEG pledged to reduce its U.S. GHG emissions intensity by 18 percent from 2000 to 2008. The company exceeded its goal, achieving a 31 percent reduction. New natural gas combined-cycle plants helped PSEG surpass its emissions reduction target. These units emit significantly less carbon than coal plants. PSEG realized additional reductions from its power plants from 2007 to 2008 due to burning less coal. PSEG did not purchase renewable energy certificates or GHG offsets to help meet its goal.
This success is in line with PSEG's low-carbon business strategy. As one of the first U.S. electric utilities to join the Global Climate Challenge, the company stabilized CO2 emissions from its New Jersey plants at 1990 levels by the year 2000.
Raytheon Company, a charter Partner in Climate Leaders headquartered in Waltham, Mass., pledged to reduce GHG emissions from its U.S. operations by 33 percent between 2002 and 2009, normalized for revenue and adjusted for inflation. Raytheon not only met, but exceeded its reduction goal one year ahead of schedule. By the end of 2008, the company had reduced its emissions 38 percent normalized for revenue and adjusted for inflation. This reduction equates to 275,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided cumulatively between 2002 and 2008, equivalent to the emissions from electricity use of 36,400 homes for a year.
To achieve its goal, Raytheon implemented an aggressive energy conservation program, because approximately 90 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions are energy-related. Raytheon completed hundreds of energy conservation/efficiency projects such as upgrading chillers, boilers, and heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems; installing high-efficiency and sensor-controlled lighting; converting to variable-speed drives for motors, pumps and fans; and upgrading to state-of-the-art automated energy management and control systems. Raytheon's energy reduction program has been recognized by EPA's Energy Star Program five times in the last eight years, including the award for "Sustained Excellence in Energy Management" in 2008 and 2009.
Raytheon employees have also contributed significantly to the energy conservation efforts. The company has established a network of Energy Champions who help identify reduction opportunities and encourage other employees to shut down equipment when not in use. Complementing these efforts is the enterprise-wide Energy Citizens campaign, which engages employees in the company's energy conservation efforts. Almost 22,000 Raytheon employees qualified as Energy Citizens in 2008.
Raytheon is continuing its commitment to sustainability and the environment and has set a new GHG emission reduction goal. Raytheon pledges to reduce its absolute U.S. emissions by 10 percent between 2008 and 2015.
EPA estimates that the GHG reductions by Climate Leaders Partners will prevent more than 50 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year, which is equal to the annual emissions of more than nine million vehicles.