Industry Leader Takes Action on Climate Change
WASHINGTON, DC -- Platte River Power Authority in Fort Collins, Colorado, has become a Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry by being among the first to join the organization. The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in a common, accurate and transparent manner consistent across industry sectors and borders. Thirty-nine U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces, three Native American tribes, six Mexican states and the District of Columbia are the founders of the organization.
"Platte River has demonstrated exemplary environmental leadership by courageously stepping forward to support The Climate Registry in its preliminary stages. We are deeply grateful for their integral support in helping to address the challenge of climate change," said Gina McCarthy, Chair of The Climate Registry.
A forerunner in the electric generation industry, Platte River has demonstrated environmental stewardship on several fronts by voluntarily committing to measure, independently verify, and publicly report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on an annual basis utilizing The Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol. The protocol is based on the internationally recognized GHG measurement standards of the World Resources Institute and World Business Council on Sustainability.
"Joining The Climate Registry is just one way Platte River shows that its long-time environmental commitment never ends," said Brian Moeck, Platte River's general manager. "Platte River operates under a Board-approved Environmental Policy and Procedures and The Climate Registry fits those guidelines very well."
Platte River is an electric generating and transmission utility based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded in 1973, it is owned by the communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado. The municipal utilities of each community distribute Platte River's electricity to residents and businesses. Platte River owns and operates the 10-turbine, 8 MW Medicine Bow Wind Project in Wyoming, providing wind energy to its owner municipalities. Platte River recently sought bids to add up to 30 MW of wind plant to its generation mix in 2010. In addition, energy efficiency programs offered by Platte River and its owner communities' utilities since 2002 are now resulting in electricity savings of 29,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) per year (equivalent to 3,600 homes).
Platte River also owns and operates one of the most reliable and clean-operating power plants in the United States--the Rawhide Energy Station, consisting of one coal-fired generator and four natural-gas combustion turbines. Updating to new, more efficient technology over the past five years has allowed Rawhide to operate at much lower levels than its air quality permits allow.
The majority of Platte River's vehicle fleet is hybrid vehicles including one all-electric vehicle which recharges from an on-site photovoltaic system. As vehicles are retired, replacements continue to be more environmentally friendly.
Platte River also maintains two small herds of "environmental ambassadors"--American bison at the Rawhide site. The Great Plains of the United States were once home to millions of bison. Platte River's herds illustrate a mutually beneficial coexistence.
Entities that join before May, 2008 are eligible to receive Founding Reporter status.
About The Climate Registry
Incorporated March 2007 in Washington, D.C., The Climate Registry provides accurate and transparent measurement of GHG emissions and ensures consistency of measurement metrics across industry sectors and borders. The Climate Registry accounting infrastructure supports both voluntary and regulatory programs. For more information please visit, www.theclimateregistry.org.