Exelon Reduced GHGs by More than 35%
As of the end of 2008, Exelon had reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 35 percent from 2001 levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently verified the reduction of nearly 6 million metric tons in carbon emissions. Stantec, an independent third-party provider of environmental consulting services, also verified the reduction.
This reduction exceeded the company's voluntary EPA Climate Leaders program goal of 8 percent. Exelon 2020: A Low-Carbon Roadmap sets a goal of reducing, offsetting, or displacing more than 15 million metric tons of GHG emissions per year by 2020. This is more than the company's carbon footprint in 2001, its first full year of operation.
"Exelon's leadership on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions shows us all what can be accomplished through sustained commitment and action," said Kathleen Hogan, director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA.
Consistent with its cost-efficient approach, Exelon initially focused on its operations to achieve most of its early GHG reductions, including:
- Retiring less efficient and 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;
- Increasing the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet.
"Our progress to date highlights the important role of competitive markets in enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy," said Rowe. "We believe that competitive energy markets are critical in driving economical decisions, such as retiring inefficient fossil plants and pursuing the most cost-effective emissions reductions first. Competition also impels us to advocate for federal cap-and-trade legislation, which we believe will address climate change at the lowest possible cost to customers."
Exelon continues to implement numerous initiatives this year working toward its 2020 goal. These include: continuing to engage its suppliers to create an industry-leading green supply chain; procuring renewable energy to offset a portion of its energy consumption; and expanding customer energy-efficiency programs offered by its energy delivery subsidiaries, ComEd and PECO, including Smart Grid pilot programs. The company also plans to continue to increase the output of its nuclear power plants through uprates to offer more low-carbon electricity in the marketplace.
Exelon Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately $19 billion in annual revenues.