LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES ACHIEVE CARBON NEUTRALITY FOR ELECTRICITY
The City of Greenbelt and The City of Hyattsville Purchase Enough Wind Power to Offset 100% of the Carbon Emissions from Municipal Properties

(ROCKVILLE, MD Feb. 9, 2011) – Clean Currents announced today that the cities of Greenbelt and Hyattsville, both located within Prince George’s County, each have purchased wind power in the form of renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset 100% of their electricity usage at municipal properties. The procurement is part of the cities’ overall green initiatives, which offsets their electricity carbon footprint for an entire year.  

“The purchase of green energy is a simple yet effective way for individuals, organizations, companies, or cities to go green.  With these purchases, Hyattsville and Greenbelt are directly supporting renewable energy development in the United States,” said Ron Rodriguez, Vice President of Business Development at Clean Currents.

“Greenbelt was a “green” City before it was trendy.  We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and benefit the environment.   Purchasing wind power and saving money at the same time is a win-win for our City” said Judith F. Davis, Mayor of the City of Greenbelt.

“Sound environmental stewardship is a priority for our community.  Buying renewable energy credits is part of our broader efforts, which include improving bike and pedestrian safety, expanding and improving our parks, and supporting quality development at our metro stations” added Mayor Gardiner, Mayor of Hyattsville.

The City of Greenbelt  and the City of Hyattsville’s purchase of renewable energy is equal to removing 8,873,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, or taking 770 automobiles off the road for one year.

Going green is nothing new to residents of both cities; as both Greenbelt and Hyattsville have been active participants in Clean Currents’ Green Neighborhood Challenge.  Greenbelt was one of the first participating groups in the Challenge, which encourages members of local neighborhood associations, houses of worship, school groups, and towns to sign up for Clean Currents wind-generated electricity for their residences.  For each group member that signs up for wind power, Clean Currents makes a donation to the group to go towards a greening project of their choice.  To date, Clean Currents has awarded over $5,000 to 81 such groups.  

“With just a little bit of effort, elected officials of Hyattsville and Greenbelt have shown their commitment to a clean, green future; and hopefully other communities across the region will follow their lead,” said Rodriguez.

About Clean Currents
Clean Currents is the Mid-Atlantic’s leading, independent green energy company, providing national wind power through the grid to residences and businesses.  Since its inception in 2005, Clean Currents has built a vibrant green community in the region, counting over 6,000 residential and 500 commercial customers across Maryland, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.  Clean Currents is sustainably operated and recognized as a certified green business.          

About City of Greenbelt
The City of Greenbelt is a suburb of Washington, D.C., located within Prince George's County, one of the largest and fastest growing counties in the country.  The City of Greenbelt has gone into the history books as one of the first planned communities in the United States built as a federal venture in housing. From the beginning it was designed as a complete city, with businesses, schools, roads and facilities for recreation and town government. Greenbelt was a planned community, noted for its interior walkways, underpasses, its system of inner courtyards and one of the first mall-type shopping centers in the United States. Modeled after English garden cities of the 19th century, Greenbelt took its name from the belt of green forestland with which it was surrounded and from the belts of green between neighborhoods that offered easy contact with nature.    

About City of Hyattsville
Incorporated in 1886, the City of Hyattsville covers just under three square miles within Prince George’s County, Maryland.  We combine the best of small-town living with the benefits of residing within a major metropolitan area.