October 26th, 2008

From the Environmental Protection Agency

The 2008 Green Power Leadership Awards were presented in conjunction with the National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference, held October 26-29 in Denver, Colorado.

Small Residential/Commercial Green Power Program or Supplier of the Year

PaloAltoGreen (PAG) draws renewable energy from 100 percent new, local and regional wind and solar resources, all from projects that have come on-line since 2005. Just five years since the program’s launch, total sales are 59 million kilowatt hours annually and the customer participation rate is 20.4 percent, the highest rate in the nation.

The City of Palo Alto constantly works to add value to its customer programs. New PAG participants receive a welcome kit, along with marketing and public relations support. One of the newest benefits offered is the “PaloAltoGreen Team,” a discount rewards card program for residents and businesses participating in PaloAltoGreen. The program promotes participating businesses that use renewable energy and rewards residents with discounts to those local businesses. The program was launched at Palo Alto’s Greenstock, a free event sponsored by PaloAltoGreen, which featured renewable energy workshops, live music, and a speech by the Mayor of Palo Alto.

Full support for PaloAltoGreen extends from the top down. In July, the city increased its own purchase of renewable energy, providing City Hall and the city’s water treatment plant with 30 percent of their electricity use.