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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Announces UW Green Energy Purchase
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2/8/2006 11:00:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Mayor Announces UW Green Energy Purchase
UW will be Seattle’s largest Green Up partner
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powered with 100% renewable energy
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels, University of Washington President Mark Emmert
and City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco today announced that the UW is
now the largest purchaser of green power in Seattle. By joining City Light’s
Green Up program, the University will be powered with 100 percent renewable
energy.
“Next week marks the first anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol when countries
across the world began reducing their green house gas emissions. Due to the
lack of leadership at the federal level, cities across the country are taking
local action to make a difference on climate change,” Nickels said. “The
University of Washington’s commitment to purchasing 100 percent renewable
energy shows how local initiatives can work.”
As part of their Green Up partnership, City Light will coordinate with the
university to build renewable energy projects on campus that will be installed
and run by students, faculty and staff. City Light will assist the university
with greenhouse gas emissions analysis and a carbon footprint inventory. The
utility and the university will also work together to create student internships
and research opportunities on green power issues.
Seattle City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco presented the university
with a check for $649,687 for the 30 energy conservation improvements completed
on campus in 2005. This saved 3,349,000-kilowatt hours (kWh), the amount of
electricity needed to power 320 homes in Seattle for a year. The improvements
also saved the university $200,940 in utility costs in 2005.
“It is gratifying to take another step in the long-standing, energy-saving
relationship with University of Washington,” said City Light Superintendent
Jorge Carrasco. “Each kilowatt hour of energy we save is something we
won’t have to produce, which saves resources and helps fight climate
change.”
The University has made conservation improvements in every building on campus
since starting to work with City Light in the early 1990’s. From exit
light signs to massive chillers, an estimated $19 million in energy costs have
been avoided by these improvements. The university has saved enough electricity
to power 5,700 Seattle households for one year.
The announcement was made on campus at Merrill Hall at the Center for Urban
Horticulture, part of the UW Botanic Gardens. Recognized as one of the greenest
buildings in Seattle, it is filled with sustainable features and ways to save
resources. President Mark Emmert displayed the building’s silver Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
The Mayor also recognized the University’s Climate Impact Group for
providing much of the research being used by his Green Ribbon Commission on
Climate Protection. The commission will unveil its climate change goals and
recommendations for the city next month.
Get the mayor's inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public
safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The
Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm.
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Office of the Mayor
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