EPA News Release (Region 3): EPA Recognizes Maryland Panera Bread as New Green Power Partner

Contact: Bonnie Smith smith.bonnie@epa.gov, 215-814-5543   EPA Recognizes Maryland Panera Bread as New Green Power Partner Company is choosing renewable sources for 100% of its Maryland stores’ energy needs PHILADELPHIA (October 25, 2011) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Panera Bread’s 35 Maryland locations are on EPA's list of top green power purchasers among retailers. The company’s green power purchase of more than 11 million kilowatt hours for its 35 Maryland bakery-cafes is equivalent to avoiding the yearly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 1,400 passenger vehicles or from more than 800 average American homes’ electricity use.   Panera Bread is purchasing enough wind power with renewable electricity certificates (RECs) for 100 percent of its electricity use. Green power is generated from renewable resources including solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, and low-impact hydropower.   “Panera Bread’s Maryland locations are switching from traditional sources of electricity generation to cleaner, renewable energy alternatives,” said EPA’s mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “I applaud Panera Bread’s environmental commitment to helping improve Maryland’s air quality by purchasing green power, and I hope others in the retail industry will follow their lead.” EPA’s Green Power Partnership works with more than 1,300 partner organizations that are voluntarily purchasing green power to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use. Purchases of green power also help accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and produce no net increase to greenhouse gas emissions.   More information on the nation’s top 50 green power purchasers: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/top50.htm   More information on EPA’s Green Power Partnership: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/     Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.     View all Region 3 Press Releases     You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355