Hilton Worldwide announced today that it received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country?s leading renewable power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation?s voluntary green power market. EPA presented the award to Hilton Worldwide at an event held in conjunction with the 2012 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Washington, DC on September 24, 2012.
Hilton Worldwide?was one of only?four organizations nationwide to be chosen as a Green Power Partner of the Year. The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through their purchase, leadership, overall strategy and impact on the green power market. Hilton Worldwide?is currently purchasing 315 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 94 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity use. In addition, Hilton Worldwide?is buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy.
“As a hotel company, energy is very important to the operations of our business and as such, the development of renewable energy as a viable supply option is critical to our success. It is a huge honor to be recognized for our commitment to renewable power and it is a testament to our focus on sustainability across our brands,” Christopher Corpuel, vice president of sustainability and brand services, Hilton Worldwide, said.
Hilton Worldwide?currently ranks number 12 on EPA’s National Top 50 List. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 5, 2012. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly athttp://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.
According to the EPA, green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.
“Receiving the Green Power Partner of the Year award signifies Hilton Worldwide’s leadership and impact on the green power market,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Hilton Worldwide’s commitment to supporting green power should serve as an example to other organizations seeking to invest in environmental progress.”
According to the EPA, Hilton Worldwide’s?current green power purchase of 315 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 43,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the amount of electricity needed to power more than 27,000 average American homes annually.
Hilton Worldwide’s investments in green power align with the company’s commitment to measure, analyze and continuously improve its sustainability performance. Since 2008, Hilton Worldwide has achieved more than $147 million in cumulative savings through?LightStayTM, the company’s proprietary sustainability measurement system, and is on track to reduce energy consumption, CO2?emissions and waste output by 20 percent, and water consumption by 10 percent by 2014. More information about LightStay and Hilton Worldwide’s 2011 sustainability performance is available at:?http://hiltonworldwideglobalmediacenter.com/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/22071.