Friday, February 29, 2008

Sofitel Hotels Become First Hotel Chain In U.S. To Choose Wind Power and Become Epa Green Power Partner


Wind Energy Commitment is the Latest Sofitel Effort to Increase Energy Efficiency

DALLAS, TX-- Accor North America announced today a new agreement between its Sofitel Hotels and wind energy supplier Community Energy, Inc. to purchase clean, renewable, wind energy for all nine Sofitel locations in the U.S.

(Photo top right, Stephen L. Johnson, administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency)

This purchase of wind-generated power in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) qualifies Sofitel Hotels as an EPA Green Power Partner, making them the first hotel chain to choose green power for each of the brand’s hotel locations in the country.

“We’re proud to step up as a leader in our industry and to do our part for the environment. Our customers recognize and value the commitment we’ve made to a safe and secure energy future. We hope others will follow our lead and make the choice as well,” said Robert Moore, senior vice president of Technical Services for Accor North America.

Sofitel has nine locations throughout the United States including two in Chicago and one in Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington D.C. These properties will buy a total of 1,527,000 kilowatt hours (kWhs) of renewable energy.

Compared to the average generation mix in the regional electric grid, the environmental benefit from this purchase is equal to offsetting approximately two million pounds of carbon dioxide per year, the impact of which is equivalent to planting more than 800 acres of trees each year or not driving 2.36 million miles. This level of commitment makes Sofitel the first hotel chain to become an EPA Green Power Partner.

"EPA applauds our corporate partners for protecting our environment by purchasing green power," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson (photo top right). "By voluntarily shifting to renewable energy, Accor North America is proving you don’t need to wait for a signal in order to go green."


Community Energy President Brent Alderfer stated, “Sofitel has stepped up as a leader in the hospitality industry. Their renewable energy purchase puts their energy dollars to work to benefit the environment and the nation. As more customers choose to follow their lead and purchase renewable energy, we can bring more clean power resources online to meet that demand.”


For more information, please visit http://www.newwindenergy.com/.


CONTACT
Laura Rojo-Eddy
United States -
Phone: +1(972) 360-5970


Accor North America
4001 International Parkway USA -
Carrollton, TX 75007
Phone: (972) 386 6161
Fax: (972) 702 5947
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