Environmental Defense Praises NC GreenPower Program

(30 September 2003 — Raleigh, NC)  Environmental Defense today applauded this week’s launch of NC GreenPower, a program that will offer the state’s electric consumers the option to buy electricity generated by renewable sources such as wind, solar and landfill methane gas, rather than polluting sources such as coal or nuclear. 

“NC GreenPower is the best opportunity citizens have to protect the environment since recycling became available in the early 1990s,” said Jane Preyer, director of the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense.  “Recycling is a way of life now.  Relying on energy generated by clean, renewable sources will be a way of life in the future.  Choosing green energy should become as commonplace as choosing to recycle a milk jug, and NC GreenPower is a big first step.” 

“NC GreenPower, combined with the benefits of the Clean Smokestacks Act, demonstrates that North Carolina is very serious about addressing the health impacts of air pollution,” said Michael Shore, southeast air quality manager for Environmental Defense and a member of the NC GreenPower Board of Directors.  “By making clean energy resources available, the program will help reduce dependency on coal-fired power plants that pollute our water and make our children wheeze.  Green power is here to stay.”

NC GreenPower will be formally launched at press conferences in Research Triangle Park and Charlotte on October 1.  Preyer will be a speaker at the RTP event.