Detroit Zoo Certified by Green-e Marketplace, Powered by 100% Renewable Energy
Committing to 100% clean energy for all operations, Detroit Zoo is the first zoo in the U.S. certified by Green-e
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, December 16, 2015 /3BL Media/ — Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) today announced that the Detroit Zoo is the first zoo in the U.S. to earn certification by Green-e Marketplace. By using 100% Green-e certified wind energy for all its operations, the Detroit Zoo is reducing the environmental impact of its electricity use. The zoo is committing to purchase nearly 15,000 renewable energy certificates through a partnership with ITC Holdings Corp. per year to cover all its operations.
"The Detroit Zoological Society is a trailblazer in creating green community spaces," said Orrin Cook, senior manager, Green-e Market Development. "Green-e is excited to support its commitment to renewable energy and to its sustainability efforts over the coming years."
The use of renewable energy is part of a comprehensive environmental initiative at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo called DZS Greenprint. This plan includes refining and improving green practices and facilities, incorporating sustainability across policies and programs, and improving green literacy and action in the Detroit community. The Detroit Zoological Society received the 2015 Green Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and was also named 2015 Best-Managed Nonprofit by Crain's Detroit Business.
"Communicating our commitment to renewable energy is important to us, and the Green-e logo is a great way to let our visitors know that we're powered by 100% renewable electricity," said Ron Kagan, Detroit Zoological Society executive director and CEO.
"The Detroit Zoological Society and ITC share a commitment to environmental stewardship," said Dr. Terry S. Harvill, vice president of International and Merchant Development for ITC Holdings Corp. and a DZS board member. "We are proud to support their sustainability goals by providing three years of renewable energy, certified by industry leader Green-e Energy."
By powering its operations with renewable energy, the Detroit Zoo is taking real action to reduce the impact of its energy use. Electricity generated from renewable sources results in less environmental waste and pollution and displaces other non-renewable sources from the electric grid. The Detroit Zoo's purchase of electricity created from nearly emissions-free renewable sources avoids carbon dioxide and other pollutants and serves to build the market for renewable energy nationwide, increasing incentives for developing new facilities. In 2015, renewable energy accounted for nearly ten percent of total electricity generation nationwide.
Renewable energy certificates purchased on behalf of the Detroit Zoo are certified by Green-e Energy, the leading renewable energy certification program in the nation. Green-e Energy provides independent, third-party certification to ensure renewable energy products meet strict environmental and consumer protection standards, including being sourced from verified, new facilities; not being double-counted towards any state's renewable energy goal; and being retired on behalf of the purchaser. Every Green-e Marketplace participant undergoes annual verification and audits to document that it has purchased enough certified renewable energy to meet its annual commitment.
About the Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoological Society—a nonprofit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo—is recognized as a leader in conservation, animal welfare, and sustainability, and provides sanctuary for animals in need of rescue. With an annual regional economic impact of more than $100 million, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is one of Michigan's largest paid family attractions, hosting more than 1.3 million visitors annually. Its 125 acres of award-winning naturalistic habitats are home to 2,500 animals representing 270 species. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo sits on a 5-acre site surrounded by undisturbed forested wetlands on Belle Isle State Park in Detroit and provides year-round educational, recreational, and environmental conservation opportunities for the community. For hours, prices, directions and other information, call 248-541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.
About ITC Holdings Corp.
ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) is the nation's largest independent electric transmission company. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, lower the overall cost of delivered energy and allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems. Through its regulated operating subsidiaries ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, serving a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along approximately 15,600 circuit miles of transmission line. ITC's grid development focus includes growth through regulated infrastructure investment as well as domestic and international expansion through merchant and other commercial development opportunities. For more information, visit ITC's website at www.itc-holdings.com.
About Green‑e and Center for Resource Solutions
A program of the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, Green‑e is North America's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green‑e offers certification and verification services through Green‑e Energy, a renewable energy certification program; Green‑e Climate, a greenhouse gas emission reduction certification program; and Green‑e Marketplace, a program that provides forward-thinking organizations a simple, nationally recognized logo they can use to communicate their renewable energy and climate commitment to their customers and stakeholders. To learn more about Green‑e Certified products and programs available in all 50 states and Canada, visit www.green‑e.org.
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©2015 Center for Resource Solutions. For more information, see us at www.resource-solutions.org or call 415-561-2100.
